On CDC estimates, Shively is healthier than 9% of U.S. towns
Shively differs from Kentucky on 16 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 15 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Shively. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Shively
Making ends meet is harder in Shively
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (24.3%), vs 15.5% across Kentucky. Utility shut-off threats (15.1% vs 8.8%) and housing insecurity (19.4% vs 11.7%) are higher too. 22.8% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.5% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Shively is in the bottom 9% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Shively is healthier than only 9% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on self-rated health, obesity, diabetes and smoking. Health Grade ↓
Dental care lags in Shively
51.7% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 58.1% across Kentucky. Among those 65 and older, 23.8% have lost all their teeth (Kentucky 18.9%). Checkups ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Kentucky figure falls outside Shively’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
What’s behind Shively’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Shively is healthier than 9% of U.S. towns, #115 of 141 in Kentucky. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 35% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 4%).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Shively’s median household income is $50,221; among the 5,861 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($38K–$63K), it’s healthier than 22%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
22.8% of Shively adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.5% across Kentucky.
Keeping up with care
Share of Shively adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Kentucky.
Out of every 100 Shively adults…
Shively runs below KY on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 5. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Shively
No hospital or community health center in Shively itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Shively; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with Kentucky
Share of adults, with the Kentucky figure marked.
0.2 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Shively adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Shively runs above Kentucky.
A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Shively and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shively | D | 43.4% | 18.2% | 20.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Shively adults live with a disability (Kentucky 37.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Shively
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Shively is better than Kentucky on 1 and worse on 15; on the rest, the Kentucky figure falls inside Shively’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Shively | KY | U.S. | vs KY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 28.1%25.5–30.7 | 22.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 16.6%14.9–18.5 | 15.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.9%16.1–19.8 | 17.4% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 43.4%38.6–48.2 | 38.3% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 18.2%16.1–20.4 | 13.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 44.9%41.7–47.9 | 38.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38%35–41 | 36.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 33.7%30.6–36.8 | 32.2% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 12.3%10.9–13.9 | 11.1% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.2%6.5–7.9 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.4%7.6–9.2 | 8.2% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 10.5%9.4–11.6 | 10.2% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 5.1%4.7–5.5 | 4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 23.8%20.2–27.7 | 18.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 20.3%18–22.8 | 18.5% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 31.6%28–35.4 | 26.9% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.4%10.2–14.8 | 14.2% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 44.2%39.7–48.7 | 39.6% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 8.2%7.1–9.4 | 5.4% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 81.1%78.1–83.9 | 78.7% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 51.7%48.1–55.2 | 58.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85.7%83.4–87.7 | 84.2% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 83.6%81.3–85.7 | 81.3% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 66.3%61.7–70.5 | 65.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.2%67.3–80 | 72.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 23.8%20.8–27.1 | 26.7% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 26%23–29.3 | 22.5% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 24.3%22.1–26.5 | 15.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 19.4%17.5–21.5 | 11.7% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 15.1%13.5–16.9 | 8.8% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 13%11.9–14.2 | 8.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 22.8%20.6–25.1 | 14.5% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 41%37.3–44.7 | 37.4% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21.4%19.3–23.6 | 17.3% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 18.5%16.6–20.5 | 17.3% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.8%7–8.8 | 9% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 8.4%7.6–9.1 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.8%10.7–13 | 9.4% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.2%5.7–6.7 | 4.4% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Kentucky figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Shively
Is Shively a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Shively is healthier than 9% of U.S. towns: D for health, #115 of 141 in Kentucky. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 22%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Shively?
CDC estimates 43.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 38.6% and 48.2%, against 38.3% across Kentucky and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Shively?
Norton Hospitals in Louisville, 4.8 miles in a straight line from Shively’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Shively have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 8.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 7.1–9.4%), against 5.4% across Kentucky.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Shively more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Shively.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Kentucky figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.