Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 4.0Patterson’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Patterson differs from Louisiana on 20 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 19 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Patterson. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Patterson
Patterson is in the bottom 1% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Patterson is healthier than only 1% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Patterson
1 in 3 adults worry about having enough food (32.4%), vs 22.5% across Louisiana. Utility shut-off threats (17.5% vs 12.4%) and housing insecurity (23.3% vs 16.8%) are higher too. 29.9% of adults receive SNAP, vs 19% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Patterson looks healthier next to Louisiana than next to the country
It’s healthier than 21% of the 161 Louisiana towns we grade, but 1% of towns nationwide. Much of Louisiana scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
More Patterson adults lack emotional support
1 in 3 adults lack social or emotional support (33.5%), vs 28.6% across Louisiana. Frequent mental distress is above the state too: 22.3%, vs 19.3% across Louisiana. Mind & connection ↓
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 Patterson’s likely range.
What’s behind Patterson’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Patterson is near the bottom of U.S. towns, #126 of 161 in Louisiana. All seven of Patterson’s estimates fall in the lowest 6% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is obesity: 47.2% 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). Patterson’s median household income is $49,886; among the 5,756 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($37K–$62K), it’s healthier than 2%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Patterson compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.7% (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.
29.9% of Patterson adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 19% across Louisiana.
How Patterson adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Patterson runs above Louisiana.
2 in 5 Patterson 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.
Out of every 100 Patterson adults…
Patterson runs below LA on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 6. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Patterson
No hospital or community health center in Patterson 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 Patterson; ≈ 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.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Patterson adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Louisiana.
Patterson and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patterson | D− | 47.2% | 18.1% | 23.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Patterson adults live with a disability (Louisiana 38%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Patterson
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Patterson is better than Louisiana on 1 and worse on 19; on the rest, the Louisiana figure falls inside Patterson’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Patterson | LA | U.S. | vs LA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 31.6%28.3–35.1 | 24.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.4%16.4–20.6 | 15.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 22.3%19.9–24.8 | 19.3% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 47.2%39.4–55.1 | 40% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 18.1%15.9–20.4 | 15.2% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 47%42.8–51.2 | 42.6% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 40.5%36.2–44.9 | 38.3% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 31.9%28.6–35.4 | 29.7% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 11.5%10.1–12.9 | 10.3% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.7%6–7.4 | 7.5% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.5%7.6–9.4 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.8%9.7–12 | 8.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.4%4.9–5.8 | 4.3% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 23.1%19.4–27.5 | 18.1% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 23.3%20.5–26.3 | 17.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 37.8%32.7–43 | 30.3% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 15.6%12.8–18.9 | 16.9% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 45.2%38.5–52.2 | 40.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.1%9.4–13 | 8.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 82%78.7–85.1 | 81.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 50.2%46.3–54.2 | 57.2% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.4%82.4–86.3 | 86.4% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.8%76.2–81.3 | 78.8% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 64.4%59.1–69.3 | 66.3% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 79.4%72.6–85.4 | 79.3% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 28%24.2–32.1 | 26.6% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 40.8%35.6–46.5 | 36.6% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 33.5%29.5–38.1 | 28.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 32.4%28.8–36.3 | 22.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 23.3%20.6–26.2 | 16.8% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 17.5%15.5–19.6 | 12.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 15.6%13.9–17.5 | 11.3% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 29.9%26.5–33.4 | 19% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 45%40.3–49.8 | 38% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 22.7%20.2–25.3 | 17.6% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 22.4%20.2–24.9 | 18.4% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.5%7.6–9.5 | 8% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 9.2%8.3–10 | 6.7% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13.3%12–14.8 | 10.3% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7%6.4–7.7 | 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 Patterson
Is Patterson a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Patterson is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health, #126 of 161 in Louisiana. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 2%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Patterson?
CDC estimates 47.2% of adults have obesity, likely between 39.4% and 55.1%, against 40% across Louisiana and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Patterson?
Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City, 6.6 miles in a straight line from Patterson’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Patterson have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.1% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.4–13%), 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 Patterson 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 Patterson.
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.