Pine Street Neighborhood Historic District · Photo: Daniel L. Brandewie · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Cambridge is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns
Cambridge differs from Maryland on 23 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 22 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Cambridge. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Cambridge
Dental care lags in Cambridge
52.5% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 64.4% across Maryland. Among those 65 and older, 23.6% have lost all their teeth (Maryland 9.9%). Cambridge’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
COPD, stroke and diabetes run high in Cambridge
1 in 9 adults have COPD (10.7%), vs 5.9% across Maryland. 1 in 18 adults have had a stroke (5.7%), vs 3.4% across Maryland. Diabetes is also above the state: 19%, vs 12.5% across Maryland. In all, Cambridge runs above Maryland on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Cambridge
3 in 10 adults worry about having enough food (28.4%), vs 15.4% across Maryland. Utility shut-off threats (16.3% vs 8.4%) and no reliable transportation (14.4% vs 7.8%) are higher too. 29.2% of adults receive SNAP, vs 11.8% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Maryland figure falls outside Cambridge’s likely range.
What’s behind Cambridge’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Cambridge is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns, #258 of 261 in Maryland. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 24% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 2%).
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). Cambridge’s median household income is $47,323; among the 4,774 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($35K–$59K), it’s healthier than 21%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Cambridge compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 79.6% (U.S. 76.5%).
Keeping up with care
Share of Cambridge adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Maryland.
Out of every 100 Cambridge adults…
Cambridge runs above MD on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
29.2% of Cambridge adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.8% across Maryland.
Care in and near Cambridge
1 community health center in Cambridge, 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 Cambridge; ≈ 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 Maryland
Share of adults, with the Maryland figure marked.
7.7 miles of trails across 10 parks and preserves
How Cambridge adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Cambridge runs above Maryland.
1 in 3 Cambridge 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.
Cambridge and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Cambridge adults live with a disability (Maryland 26.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Cambridge
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Cambridge is better than Maryland on 1 and worse on 22; on the rest, the Maryland figure falls inside Cambridge’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Cambridge | MD | U.S. | vs MD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 28.4%25.6–31.7 | 17.9% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.4%15.7–19.5 | 12% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.6%16.7–20.7 | 15% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 45.9%39.9–51.9 | 35.1% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 19%17–21.2 | 12.5% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 46.2%42.5–49.8 | 36.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.1%33.5–40.7 | 38.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 34.6%31.6–37.7 | 25.8% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.4%11.1–13.9 | 10.6% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8%7.3–8.7 | 7.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.8%8–9.8 | 5.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.7%9.6–12 | 5.9% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.7%5.2–6.2 | 3.4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 23.6%20.3–27 | 9.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 18.3%16.1–20.9 | 10.9% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 33.9%29.8–38.3 | 23.6% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.5%10.3–14.9 | 14.1% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 42.8%37.8–47.9 | 37.7% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 12.2%10.4–14.1 | 8.7% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 82%79.1–84.7 | 79.2% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 52.5%49.2–55.8 | 64.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 87.3%85.7–88.8 | 89.6% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.6%77.1–81.8 | 76.6% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 66.3%61.9–70.4 | 68.2% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 81.5%76.1–86.2 | 80.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 20%17.2–23 | 19.4% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 33.7%29.4–38.5 | 34.3% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 27.6%24.2–31.3 | 24.2% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 28.4%25.3–31.7 | 15.4% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 22.4%19.9–25.1 | 13.5% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 16.3%14.5–18.4 | 8.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 14.4%12.9–16.1 | 7.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 29.2%26.2–32.3 | 11.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 36.8%33.1–41 | 26.4% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21%18.9–23.4 | 12.4% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.4%15.6–19.5 | 12.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.8%7–8.7 | 5.6% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 8.9%8.1–9.7 | 4.5% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 12.2%10.9–13.5 | 7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7%6.4–7.8 | 3.5% | 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 Maryland figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Cambridge
Is Cambridge a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Cambridge is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns: D for health, #258 of 261 in Maryland. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 21%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Cambridge?
CDC estimates 45.9% of adults have obesity, likely between 39.9% and 51.9%, against 35.1% across Maryland and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Cambridge?
University of MD Shore Medical Center at Easton in Easton, 14.9 miles in a straight line from Cambridge’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Cambridge have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 12.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10.4–14.1%), against 8.7% across Maryland.
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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Maryland 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.