Photo: TheLionHasSeen · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Monroe is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
Monroe differs from Louisiana on 23 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 21 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Monroe. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Monroe
Monroe is in the bottom 2% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Monroe is healthier than only 2% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Monroe
2 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (38.2%), vs 22.5% across Louisiana. Utility shut-off threats (23.5% vs 12.4%) and no reliable transportation (20% vs 11.3%) are higher too. 37.5% of adults receive SNAP, vs 19% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Stroke, diabetes and COPD run high in Monroe
1 in 17 adults have had a stroke (5.9%), vs 4.3% across Louisiana. 1 in 5 adults have diabetes (19.7%), vs 15.2% across Louisiana. COPD is also above the state: 10.8%, vs 8.5% across Louisiana. In all, Monroe runs above Louisiana on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Monroe looks healthier next to Louisiana than next to the country
It’s healthier than 24% of the 161 Louisiana towns we grade, but 2% of towns nationwide. Much of Louisiana scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
Monroe has three hospitals within its borders
3 hospitals and 2 community health centers are inside Monroe. Getting care ↓
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 Monroe’s likely range.
What’s behind Monroe’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Monroe is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns, #122 of 161 in Louisiana. All seven of Monroe’s estimates fall in the lowest 11% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is obesity: 48.5% of adults, against 40% across Louisiana and 32.9% nationally.
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). Monroe’s median household income is $40,505; among the 2,531 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($30K–$51K), it’s healthier than 10%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Few Louisiana towns score lower on these estimates than towns elsewhere, so within the state Monroe is healthier than 24% of graded towns, against 2% nationally.
Where Monroe compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.4% (U.S. 7.9%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
37.5% of Monroe adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 19% across Louisiana.
Out of every 100 Monroe adults…
Monroe runs below LA on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 8. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Monroe
3 hospitals and 2 community health centers in Monroe, 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 Monroe; ≈ 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.
19 miles of trails across 22 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Monroe adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Louisiana.
How Monroe adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Monroe runs above Louisiana.
2 in 5 Monroe 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.
Monroe and the towns around it
Monroe’s Health Grade ranks 2nd of 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | D− | 48.5% | 19.7% | 21.2% | CDC place |
| Lakeshore | D− | 50.5% | 21.5% | 26.7% | CDC place |
| Richwood | D− | 51.8% | 16.3% | 26.3% | CDC place |
| West Monroe | D | 43.2% | 15.6% | 18.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Monroe adults live with a disability (Louisiana 38%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Monroe
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Monroe is better than Louisiana on 2 and worse on 21; on the rest, the Louisiana figure falls inside Monroe’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Monroe | LA | U.S. | vs LA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 31.7%29–34.8 | 24.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.3%15.5–19.3 | 15.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.9%19.8–24.4 | 19.3% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 48.5%42.6–54.5 | 40% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 19.7%17.7–21.9 | 15.2% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 49.2%45.6–52.9 | 42.6% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.1%34.4–41.9 | 38.3% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 32%29.1–35.2 | 29.7% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 12.1%10.8–13.7 | 10.3% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.4%5.8–7 | 7.5% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.5%7.7–9.3 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.8%9.8–12 | 8.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.9%5.5–6.4 | 4.3% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 25.6%22–29.4 | 18.1% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 21.2%18.8–23.8 | 17.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 39.4%35.4–43.9 | 30.3% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 13.3%11.1–16.1 | 16.9% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.9%38.3–49.7 | 40.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 10.7%9.4–12.5 | 8.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 83.3%80.5–86.1 | 81.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 48.8%45.3–52.2 | 57.2% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.8%82–85.8 | 86.4% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.3%76–80.6 | 78.8% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 63.9%58.9–68.6 | 66.3% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 79.4%73–85 | 79.3% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 25.2%22–28.8 | 26.6% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 39.9%35.3–44.6 | 36.6% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 32.8%29.1–36.6 | 28.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 38.2%35.1–41.1 | 22.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 27.5%24.9–30.2 | 16.8% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 23.5%21.3–25.7 | 12.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 20%18.1–21.8 | 11.3% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 37.5%34.8–40.1 | 19% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 45.1%41.1–49.3 | 38% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 23.5%21.3–25.9 | 17.6% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 22.5%20.4–24.9 | 18.4% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.8%7–8.7 | 8% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 11.2%10.4–12.1 | 6.7% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 15.4%14.1–16.9 | 10.3% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.6%7.9–9.3 | 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 Monroe
Is Monroe a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Monroe is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #122 of 161 in Louisiana. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 10%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Monroe?
CDC estimates 48.5% of adults have obesity, likely between 42.6% and 54.5%, against 40% across Louisiana and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Monroe?
FMOL Health St. Francis in Monroe, 2.6 miles in a straight line from Monroe’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Monroe have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 10.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.4–12.5%), 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 Monroe more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Monroe.
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.