Photo: Spatms · CC BY-SA 4.0Within Louisiana, Baton Rouge is healthier than 67% of graded towns
Baton Rouge differs from Louisiana on 10 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 6 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Baton Rouge. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge looks healthier next to Louisiana than next to the country
It’s healthier than 67% of the 161 Louisiana towns we grade, but 20% of towns nationwide. Much of Louisiana scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Baton Rouge
3 in 10 adults worry about having enough food (29.9%), vs 22.5% across Louisiana. No reliable transportation (16.3% vs 11.3%) and utility shut-off threats (17.8% vs 12.4%) are higher too. 28.3% of adults receive SNAP, vs 19% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Baton Rouge is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Baton Rouge is healthier than 20%. Against the 5,792 towns with similar household incomes ($37K–$62K), it’s healthier than 47%. Health Grade ↓
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 Louisiana figure falls outside Baton Rouge’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to C+.
What’s behind Baton Rouge’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Baton Rouge is healthier than 20% of U.S. towns, #54 of 161 in Louisiana. Physical distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than 41% of U.S. towns); mental distress 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). Baton Rouge’s median household income is $49,994; among the 5,792 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($37K–$62K), it’s healthier than 47%, about where its income would put it.
Where Baton Rouge compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.8% (U.S. 7.9%).
At 222,795 residents, Baton Rouge is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
28.3% of Baton Rouge adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 19% across Louisiana.
Out of every 100 Baton Rouge adults…
Baton Rouge runs below LA on 4 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Baton Rouge
2 hospitals and 5 community health centers in Baton Rouge, plus the nearest just outside it.
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 Baton Rouge; ≈ 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 Louisiana
Share of adults, with the Louisiana figure marked.
27 miles of trails across 64 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Baton Rouge adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Louisiana.
How Baton Rouge adults are doing
About the same as Louisiana on each measure.
2 in 5 Baton Rouge adults feel lonely. 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.
Baton Rouge and the towns around it
Baton Rouge’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 6 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | C− | 37.9% | 15.3% | 16.7% | CDC place |
| St. George | — | — | — | — | |
| Merrydale | D− | 47.5% | 23.3% | 21.6% | CDC place |
| Gardere | C | 38.8% | 11.6% | 16.2% | CDC place |
| Monticello | C− | 41.3% | 16.9% | 15.2% | CDC place |
| Brownfields | D− | 44.7% | 22% | 20.6% | CDC place |
| Port Allen | D | 45.9% | 18.2% | 18.7% | CDC place |
St. George: no CDC estimate of its own. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Baton Rouge adults live with a disability (Louisiana 38%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Baton Rouge
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Baton Rouge is better than Louisiana on 4 and worse on 6; on the rest, the Louisiana figure falls inside Baton Rouge’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Baton Rouge | LA | U.S. | vs LA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 25.9%23.5–28.4 | 24.4% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.7%13.2–16.2 | 15.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21%18.9–23.1 | 19.3% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 37.9%33.2–42.5 | 40% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 15.3%13.7–17 | 15.2% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 41.6%38.3–44.7 | 42.6% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34.7%31.5–37.8 | 38.3% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 26.4%24–28.9 | 29.7% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 10.9%9.7–12.3 | 10.3% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.8%5.3–6.3 | 7.5% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.6%6–7.2 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 7.9%7.2–8.7 | 8.5% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 4.4%4.1–4.7 | 4.3% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 18.4%15.6–21.5 | 18.1% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 16.7%14.8–18.7 | 17.3% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 28.6%25.3–31.9 | 30.3% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 16.3%13.9–18.9 | 16.9% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.7%39.2–48.2 | 40.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 9.6%8.4–11 | 8.9% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 81.4%78.6–84 | 81.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 55.2%51.9–58.5 | 57.2% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.9%82–85.7 | 86.4% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 76.1%73.8–78.3 | 78.8% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 67.7%63.4–71.8 | 66.3% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 82.2%76.6–86.9 | 79.3% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.8%23.7–30 | 26.6% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 38.5%34.3–42.8 | 36.6% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 30.4%27–34 | 28.6% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 29.9%27.3–32.7 | 22.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 22.3%20.1–24.8 | 16.8% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 17.8%16–19.8 | 12.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 16.3%14.7–18 | 11.3% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 28.3%25.9–30.7 | 19% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 38.9%35.4–42.4 | 38% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 17.2%15.5–19 | 17.6% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 21.1%19.2–23.1 | 18.4% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.6%5.9–7.3 | 8% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 8.4%7.8–9 | 6.7% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 12%10.9–13.2 | 10.3% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.9%5.5–6.4 | 5.1% | 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 Louisiana figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Baton Rouge
Is Baton Rouge a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Baton Rouge is healthier than 20% of U.S. towns: C− for health, #54 of 161 in Louisiana. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 47%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Baton Rouge?
CDC estimates 37.9% of adults have obesity, likely between 33.2% and 42.5%, against 40% across Louisiana and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Baton Rouge?
The General in Baton Rouge, 1.4 miles in a straight line from Baton Rouge’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Baton Rouge have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 9.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 8.4–11%), against 8.9% across Louisiana.
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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Louisiana 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.