Where Chester residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Chester, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 04457. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Chester
Dental care lags in Chester
53.9% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.8% across Maine. Among those 65 and older, 22.8% have lost all their teeth (Maine 14.8%). Checkups ↓
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Chester
1 in 9 adults have COPD (11%), vs 8.4% across Maine. 1 in 11 adults have heart disease (9.5%), vs 7.6% across Maine. Stroke is also above the state: 4.5%, vs 3.6% across Maine. In all, Chester runs above Maine on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Chester adults get no exercise
3 in 10 adults get no exercise outside work (30%), vs 23.1% across Maine. Habits ↓
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 Maine figure falls outside Chester’s likely range; Chester’s figures come from ZIP code 04457, which may reach past town lines.
Keeping up with care
Share of Chester adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Maine.
Out of every 100 Chester adults…
Chester runs above ME on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Maine
Share of adults, with the Maine figure marked.
Care in and near Chester
No hospital or community health center in Chester 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 Chester; ≈ 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).
How Chester adults are doing
About the same as Maine on each measure.
1 in 3 Chester 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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
19.4% of Chester adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Maine.
Chester and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodville | — | — | — | — |
Woodville: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Chester adults live with a disability (Maine 32.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Chester
Why doesn’t Chester have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Chester.
What hospital is closest to Chester?
Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln, 5.9 miles in a straight line from Chester’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Where can I get low-cost care near Chester?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Katahdin Valley Health Center Lincoln in Lincoln, 4.9 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Chester.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Maine figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. 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.