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2018-10-17 15 28 41 View east along Maryland State Route 332 (Central Avenue) at Southern Avenue in Capitol Heights, Prince George's County, MarylandPhoto: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
≈ CHealth Grade
Health in Capitol Heights · CDC PLACES 2025

On CDC estimates, Capitol Heights is healthier than 28% of U.S. towns

Capitol Heights differs from Maryland on 23 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 19 worse.

Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Capitol Heights. How CDC estimates town health

What stands out · In brief

What stands out about health in Capitol Heights

Making ends meet is harder in Capitol Heights

3 in 10 adults worry about having enough food (29.6%), about twice the Maryland rate. Housing insecurity (25.6% vs 13.5%) and utility shut-off threats (15.8% vs 8.4%) are higher too. 23.1% of adults receive SNAP, vs 11.8% statewide. Everyday needs ↓

Dental care lags in Capitol Heights

53.9% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 64.4% across Maryland. Among those 65 and older, 14.4% have lost all their teeth (Maryland 9.9%). Checkups ↓

More Capitol Heights adults lack emotional support

1 in 3 adults lack social or emotional support (31%), vs 24.2% across Maryland. Loneliness is above the state too: 39.4%, vs 34.3% across Maryland. 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 Maryland figure falls outside Capitol Heights’ likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B−.

Health Grade

What’s behind Capitol Heights’ grade

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Capitol Heights is healthier than 28% of U.S. towns, #236 of 261 in Maryland. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 64% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 2%).

C−Self-rated health24.8% · MD 17.9% · U.S. 19.4%
B−Physical distress14% · MD 12% · U.S. 13%
BMental distress16.4% · MD 15% · U.S. 15.9%
D−Obesity46.6% · MD 35.1% · U.S. 32.9%
DDiabetes16.6% · MD 12.5% · U.S. 12%
BSmoking13.3% smoke · MD 10.9% · U.S. 11.8%
C−Exercise31.1% · MD 23.6% · U.S. 24.7%
All U.S. towns we grade (21,250)Healthier than 28%
Less healthyHealthier
Maryland towns we grade (261)Healthier than 10%
U.S. towns with similar incomes, $73K–$121K (8,993)Healthier than 9%

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). Capitol Heights’ median household income is $97,155; among the 8,993 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($73K–$121K), it’s healthier than 9%, less than its income alone would suggest.

Most Maryland towns score higher on these estimates than towns elsewhere, so within the state Capitol Heights is healthier than 10% of graded towns, against 28% nationally.

Where Capitol Heights compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 4.8% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 11.3% (U.S. 15.4%); ever told they have depression, 15.4% (U.S. 20.6%).

A rough placement. CDC’s likely ranges are wide here: with every estimate at one end or the other, Capitol Heights could be anywhere from D to B−. The letter shows with “≈”.

How TownRatings grades health →

★ What stands out · Everyday needs

Making ends meet

Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.

3 in 10
Capitol Heights adults worry about having enough food
29.6% · MD 15.4%
Worse than MD
1 in 4
Capitol Heights adults worry about keeping their housing
25.6% · MD 13.5%
Worse than MD
1 in 6
Capitol Heights adults were threatened with a utility shut-off
15.8% · MD 8.4%
Worse than MD
1 in 7
Capitol Heights adults lack reliable transportation
13.4% · MD 7.8%
Worse than MD

23.1% of Capitol Heights adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.8% across Maryland.

Checkups & screenings

Keeping up with care

Share of Capitol Heights adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Maryland.

79%Yearly checkupMD 79%
54%Dentist visitMD 64%
89%Cholesterol checkMD 90%
68%Colon screeningMD 68%
82%MammogramMD 81%
76%Taking BP medsMD 77%
1 in 7
working-age adults has no health insurance
Capitol Heights 13.8% · Maryland 1 in 11 (8.7%)
Mind & connection

How Capitol Heights adults are doing

On 2 of 4 measures, Capitol Heights runs above Maryland.

2 in 5Capitol Heights adults feel lonely
39.4% · MD 34.3% · Worse than MD
1 in 3Capitol Heights adults lack social or emotional support
31% · MD 24.2% · Worse than MD
1 in 6Capitol Heights adults have been diagnosed with depression
15.4% · MD 19.4% · Better than MD
1 in 6Capitol Heights adults are in frequent mental distress
16.4% · MD 15% · About the same as MD
The one neighbors can help with

2 in 5 Capitol Heights adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.

Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.

Find a group →

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.

Chronic conditions

Out of every 100 Capitol Heights adults…

Capitol Heights runs below MD on 3 of 12 conditions and above it on 6. Tap one to see it as people.

5 of every 100 Capitol Heights adults have had cancer
Maryland: 8 in 100 · better · likely 4.3–5.2%
Better than MDWorseAbout the sameMaryland
Getting care

Care in and near Capitol Heights

1 community health center in Capitol Heights, plus the nearest just outside it.

HNearest ERUniversity of MD Capital Region Medical CenterUpper Marlboro · 3.8 miDirections →
★Best rated nearbyInova Alexandria Hospital★★★★★ · 11.2 miDirections →
+Low-cost careGreater Baden Medical ServicesCapitol Heights · 0.7 mi · sliding-scale feesDirections →
0.7 mi
Greater Baden Medical Services
3 sites · nearest in Capitol Heights
Sliding-scale feesIn Capitol Heights
Directions to nearest
1.5 mi
FMCS-Seat Pleasant
Capitol Heights · community health center
Sliding-scale fees
3.8 mi
University of MD Capital Region Medical Center
Upper Marlboro · ★★★★★
ER
5 mi
United Medical Center
Washington · ★★★★★
ER
6.6 mi
Children's National Hospital
Washington · not rated
ERChildren’s
6.7 mi
Washington DC VA Medical Center
Washington · ★★★★★
ERFor veterans
! Primary carePart of Capitol Heights is a federal shortage area.Landover/Suitland/Capitol Heights · need score 13 of 25
✓ Dental careCapitol Heights is not a shortage area
! Mental healthPart of Capitol Heights is a federal shortage area.Southeast Capital Beltway · need score 12 of 25

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 Capitol Heights; ≈ 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).

Habits

Everyday habits, side by side with Maryland

Share of adults, with the Maryland figure marked.

Get no exercise 31.1%MD 23.6%
Sleep under 7 hours 47.7%MD 37.7%
Binge drink 11.3%MD 14.1%
Smoke cigarettes 13.3%MD 10.9%
0%10%20%30%40%50%
Capitol Heights, betterCapitol Heights, worseAbout the sameMaryland
Where Capitol Heights gets moving

0.4 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves

Parks & trails →
Around town

Capitol Heights and the towns around it

Capitol Heights’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 3 graded towns around it.

Walker Mill: 47%Coral Hills: 46.2%Maryland Park: 45.9%Forestville: 45.9%District Heights: 47%Seat Pleasant: 46.7%Suitland: 46.5%Capitol Heights: 46.6%Capitol HeightsWalker MillCoral HillsMaryland ParkGreater Baden Medical Service at Mission of Love Charities · Capitol Heights · 0.7 mi+FMCS-Seat Pleasant · Capitol Heights · 1.5 mi+
Healthier than MDNear MDLess healthyHHospital+Health center
Obesity
#5 of 8 towns on this map, healthiest first
Maryland Park45.9%
Coral Hills46.2%
Capitol Heights46.6%
Walker Mill47%
MD35.1%

Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.

Health next door

TownHealthObesityDiabetesSmokingFigures from
Capitol HeightsC46.6%16.6%13.3%CDC place
Walker MillC47%17.4%13%CDC place
Coral HillsC46.2%15.9%12.5%CDC place
Maryland Park————

Maryland Park: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.

Disability

Living with a disability

Shown without a better/worse judgment.

31%

of Capitol Heights adults live with a disability (Maryland 26.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.

Walking or climbing stairs17%
Thinking or memory14.9%
Hearing4.2%
Errands alone9.5%
Vision6.9%
Dressing or bathing5.4%
Maryland

Every CDC estimate for Capitol Heights

Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.

On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Capitol Heights is better than Maryland on 4 and worse on 19; on the rest, the Maryland figure falls inside Capitol Heights’ likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.

Adults who…Capitol HeightsMDU.S.vs MD
Overall health
Fair or poor health24.8%21.8–27.617.9%19.4%Worse
Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month)14%12.4–15.512%13%Worse
Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month)16.4%14.7–18.115%15.9%About the same
Conditions
Obesity46.6%42.5–50.535.1%32.9%Worse
Diabetes16.6%14.9–18.212.5%12%Worse
High blood pressure42.9%40.3–45.336.8%34.4%Worse
High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years)35.4%32.8–37.938.1%37.1%Better
Arthritis26%24–2825.8%25.3%About the same
Asthma13%11.7–14.310.6%9.9%Worse
Cancer, other than skin cancer4.8%4.3–5.27.6%7.9%Better
Coronary heart disease5.6%5–6.25.8%6.4%About the same
COPD6.5%5.6–7.55.9%6.3%About the same
Stroke4.4%3.9–4.93.4%3.4%Worse
Lost all teeth (ages 65+)14.4%12.1–16.99.9%12.3%Worse
Habits
Smoke cigarettes13.3%11.2–15.410.9%11.8%Worse
No exercise outside work31.1%27.6–34.623.6%24.7%Worse
Binge drinking11.3%9.7–1314.1%15.4%Better
Sleep under 7 hours47.7%44.3–51.237.7%36%Worse
Checkups and coverage
No health insurance (ages 18–64)13.8%11.4–16.58.7%11%Worse
Checkup in the past year78.7%76.1–80.979.2%77.4%About the same
Dentist visit in the past year53.9%51.2–56.664.4%63.2%Worse
Cholesterol check in 5 years88.7%87–90.289.6%87.1%About the same
Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure)75.9%73.6–7876.6%76.5%About the same
Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75)68%65–7168.2%65.5%About the same
Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74)81.7%77.5–85.480.7%76.4%About the same
Mind and connection
Ever told they have depression15.4%13.6–17.219.4%20.6%Better
Feel lonely39.4%35.8–43.334.3%32.5%Worse
Lack social and emotional support31%27.4–34.724.2%23.6%Worse
Everyday needs
Worried about having enough food29.6%25.3–3415.4%15%Worse
Worried about keeping housing25.6%22.2–29.213.5%12%Worse
Threatened with a utility shut-off15.8%13.6–18.18.4%7.6%Worse
Lack reliable transportation13.4%11.5–15.47.8%7.9%Worse
Received SNAP (food stamps)23.1%19.3–27.211.8%11.6%Higher
Disability
Any disability31%27.8–34.126.4%30.1%Higher
Difficulty walking or climbing stairs17%14.8–1912.4%13.6%Higher
Difficulty concentrating or remembering14.9%13.1–16.812.2%13.9%Higher
Hearing difficulty4.2%3.7–4.75.6%6.7%Lower
Vision difficulty6.9%6.1–7.84.5%5.4%Higher
Difficulty doing errands alone9.5%8.3–10.87%7.9%Higher
Difficulty dressing or bathing5.4%4.7–6.23.5%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 Capitol Heights

Is Capitol Heights a healthy place to live?

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Capitol Heights is healthier than 28% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #236 of 261 in Maryland. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 9%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.

What is the obesity rate in Capitol Heights?

CDC estimates 46.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 42.5% and 50.5%, against 35.1% across Maryland and 32.9% nationally.

What hospital is closest to Capitol Heights?

University of MD Capital Region Medical Center in Upper Marlboro, 3.8 miles in a straight line from Capitol Heights’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 1 of 5 stars.

How many people in Capitol Heights have no health insurance?

CDC estimates 13.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.4–16.5%), 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 Capitol Heights more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B−.

Neighbors talk health

Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Capitol Heights.

Town Square →
Ask your neighbors

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.