Photo: Tim Pierce · CC BY-SA 4.0Where Mercer residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Mercer, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 04957. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Mercer
Making ends meet is harder in Mercer
1 in 6 adults worry about having enough food (16.9%), vs 10.7% across Maine. Utility shut-off threats (12% vs 7.4%) and no reliable transportation (11% vs 7.8%) are higher too. 25.7% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.3% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
COPD, diabetes and stroke run high in Mercer
1 in 8 adults have COPD (12.5%), vs 8.4% across Maine. 1 in 7 adults have diabetes (14.9%), vs 11.2% across Maine. Stroke is also above the state: 4.7%, vs 3.6% across Maine. In all, Mercer runs above Maine on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Mercer
1 in 5 adults smoke cigarettes (22%), vs 14.4% 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 Mercer’s likely range; Mercer’s figures come from ZIP code 04957, which may reach past town lines.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
25.7% of Mercer adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Maine.
Out of every 100 Mercer adults…
Mercer 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.
28 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Care in and near Mercer
No hospital or community health center in Mercer 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 Mercer; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Mercer adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Maine.
How Mercer adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Mercer runs above Maine.
1 in 3 Mercer 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.
Mercer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starks | — | — | — | — | |
| Smithfield | — | — | — | — | |
| New Sharon | C | 36.7% | 12.4% | 18.1% | ZIP codes |
| Norridgewock | D | 39.1% | 14.9% | 22% | ZIP 04957 |
| Rome | B− | 32.4% | 11.5% | 15.3% | ZIP 04963 |
Starks and Smithfield: 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 Mercer adults live with a disability (Maine 32.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Questions about health in Mercer
Why doesn’t Mercer have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Mercer.
What hospital is closest to Mercer?
Redington Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan, 12.4 miles in a straight line from Mercer’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Mercer?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Belgrade Regional Health Center in Belgrade, 9.9 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Mercer.
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.