Where Columbia residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Columbia, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 04623. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Columbia
Dental care lags in Columbia
54.6% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.8% across Maine. Among those 65 and older, 26.2% have lost all their teeth (Maine 14.8%). Checkups ↓
More Columbia adults get no exercise
1 in 3 adults get no exercise outside work (31.7%), vs 23.1% across Maine. There are 17 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves in town, a place to start. Habits ↓
COPD, diabetes and obesity run high in Columbia
1 in 9 adults have COPD (10.7%), vs 8.4% across Maine. 1 in 7 adults have diabetes (14%), vs 11.2% across Maine. Obesity is also above the state: 39.8%, vs 32.7% across Maine. In all, Columbia runs above Maine on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
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 Columbia’s likely range; Columbia’s figures come from ZIP code 04623, which may reach past town lines.
Keeping up with care
Share of Columbia adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Maine.
Everyday habits, side by side with Maine
Share of adults, with the Maine figure marked.
17 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Out of every 100 Columbia adults…
Columbia runs above ME on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Columbia
No hospital or community health center in Columbia 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 Columbia; ≈ 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 Columbia adults are doing
About the same as Maine on each measure.
1 in 3 Columbia 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.
19.1% of Columbia adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Maine.
Columbia and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Falls | — | — | — | — | |
| Cherryfield | D | 40.9% | 15.8% | 20.3% | ZIP 04622 |
| Harrington | — | — | — | — |
Columbia Falls and Harrington: 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 Columbia adults live with a disability (Maine 32.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Columbia
Why doesn’t Columbia have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Columbia.
What hospital is closest to Columbia?
Down East Community Hospital in Machias, 14.5 miles in a straight line from Columbia’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Columbia?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Harrington Family Health Center in Harrington, 3.6 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Columbia.
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.