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South Berrien Center Union Church and CemeterySouth Berrien Center Union Church and Cemetery · Photo: Fotoguy49057 · Public domain
≈ C+Health Grade
Health in Berrien Township · CDC PLACES 2025

On CDC estimates, Berrien Township is healthier than 42% of U.S. towns

Berrien Township trails Michigan on 1 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.

Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 49102, 49103, 49120, 49111. How CDC estimates town health

What stands out

What stands out about health in Berrien Township

Health Grade

What’s behind Berrien Township’s grade

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Berrien Township is healthier than 42% of U.S. towns, #394 of 701 in Michigan. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 51% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 37%).

B−Self-rated health20.1% · MI 19.4% · U.S. 19.4%
C+Physical distress14.8% · MI 14% · U.S. 13%
C+Mental distress17.4% · MI 17.6% · U.S. 15.9%
C+Obesity37.8% · MI 36.2% · U.S. 32.9%
C+Diabetes12.7% · MI 11.9% · U.S. 12%
B−Smoking14.7% smoke · MI 14.6% · U.S. 11.8%
B−Exercise26.2% · MI 24.9% · U.S. 24.7%
All U.S. towns we grade (21,250)Healthier than 42%
Less healthyHealthier
Michigan towns we grade (701)Healthier than 44%
U.S. towns with similar incomes, $59K–$99K (10,796)Healthier than 39%

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). Berrien Township’s median household income is $79,148; among the 10,796 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($59K–$99K), it’s healthier than 39%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.

A rough placement. CDC’s likely ranges are wide here: with every estimate at one end or the other, Berrien Township could be anywhere from D to A−. The letter shows with “≈”. These are ZIP code figures (ZIP 49102,49103,49120,49111), weighted by land area, which can reach past town lines.

How TownRatings grades health →

★ What stands out · Getting care

Care in and near Berrien Township

1 community health center in Berrien Township, plus the nearest just outside it.

HNearest ERAscension Borgess Lee HospitalDowagiac · 9.3 miDirections →
★Best rated nearbyLakeland Hospital, St. Joseph★★★★★ · 14.5 miDirections →
+Low-cost careIntercare Community Health NetworkEau Claire · 3.4 mi · sliding-scale feesDirections →
3.4 mi
Intercare Community Health Network
3 sites · nearest in Eau Claire
Sliding-scale feesIn Berrien Township
Directions to nearest
7.5 mi
Lakeland Immediate Care Center
4 sites · nearest in Dowagiac
Sliding-scale fees
Directions to nearest
9.3 mi
Ascension Borgess Lee Hospital
Dowagiac · not rated
ERRural critical access
14.5 mi
Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph
St. Joseph · ★★★★★
ER
17.2 mi
Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital
Watervliet · not rated
ER
17.3 mi
Unity Physicians Hospital
Mishawaka · not rated
✓ Primary careNo HRSA shortage area covers Berrien Township itself
✓ Dental careNo HRSA shortage area covers Berrien Township itself
✓ Mental healthNo HRSA shortage area covers Berrien Township itself

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 Berrien Township; ≈ 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).

Chronic conditions

Out of every 100 Berrien Township adults…

Berrien Township runs above MI on 1 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.

37 of every 100 Berrien Township adults have high blood pressure
Michigan: 37 in 100 · about the same · likely 33.7–41.2%
Better than MIWorseAbout the sameMichigan
Habits

Everyday habits, side by side with Michigan

Share of adults, with the Michigan figure marked.

Get no exercise 26.2%MI 24.9%
Sleep under 7 hours 37.5%MI 34.7%
Binge drink 15.3%MI 15.9%
Smoke cigarettes 14.7%MI 14.6%
0%10%20%30%40%
Berrien Township, betterBerrien Township, worseAbout the sameMichigan
Where Berrien Township gets moving

12 miles of trails across 7 parks and preserves

Parks & trails →
Checkups & screenings

Keeping up with care

Share of Berrien Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Michigan.

79%Yearly checkupMI 80%
66%Dentist visitMI 68%
87%Cholesterol checkMI 87%
70%Colon screeningMI 69%
75%MammogramMI 77%
77%Taking BP medsMI 78%
1 in 14
working-age adults has no health insurance
Berrien Township 7.4% · Michigan 1 in 14 (6.9%)
Mind & connection

How Berrien Township adults are doing

About the same as Michigan on each measure.

1 in 3Berrien Township adults feel lonely
31.9% · MI 32.4% · About the same as MI
1 in 4Berrien Township adults lack social or emotional support
22.3% · MI 23.1% · About the same as MI
1 in 4Berrien Township adults have been diagnosed with depression
26.2% · MI 25.7% · About the same as MI
1 in 6Berrien Township adults are in frequent mental distress
17.4% · MI 17.6% · About the same as MI
The one neighbors can help with

1 in 3 Berrien Township 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.

Everyday needs

Making ends meet

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

1 in 6
Berrien Township adults worry about having enough food
15.4% · MI 15.4%
About the same as MI
1 in 9
Berrien Township adults worry about keeping their housing
11.7% · MI 11.9%
About the same as MI
1 in 11
Berrien Township adults were threatened with a utility shut-off
8.7% · MI 8.7%
About the same as MI
1 in 12
Berrien Township adults lack reliable transportation
8.3% · MI 8.3%
About the same as MI

14.5% of Berrien Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Michigan.

Around town

Berrien Township and the towns around it

Berrien Township’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 6 graded towns around it.

Oronoko Township: 36.4%Pipestone Township: 38.8%Berrien Springs: 36.3%Pokagon Township: 37.5%Niles Township: 38.3%Sodus Township: 39.1%Buchanan Township: 37.7%Baroda Township: 36.1%Royalton Township: 34.3%Bainbridge Township: 44.8%Silver Creek Township: 37.3%Dowagiac: 39.2%Howard Township: 38.3%LaGrange Township: 37.3%Niles: 40.5%Bertrand Township: 38.3%Clay Township: 32.3%Milton Township: 38.5%Berrien Township: 37.8%Berrien TownshipOronoko TownshipPipestone TownshipBerrien SpringsPokagon TownshipNiles TownshipAscension Borgess Lee Hospital · Dowagiac · 9.3 miHLakeland Hospital, St. Joseph · St. Joseph · 14.5 mi · 4★ MedicareHUnity Physicians Hospital · Mishawaka · 17.3 miHIntercare Eau Claire · Eau Claire · 3.4 mi+Cass Family Clinic Dowagiac · Dowagiac · 7.5 mi+
Healthier than MINear MILess healthyHHospital+Health center
Obesity
#10 of 19 towns on this map, healthiest first
Berrien Springs36.3%
Oronoko Township36.4%
Pokagon Township37.5%
Berrien Township37.8%
Niles Township38.3%
Pipestone Township38.8%
MI36.2%

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
Berrien TownshipC+37.8%12.7%14.7%ZIP codes
Oronoko TownshipB36.4%11.7%12.6%ZIP codes
Pipestone TownshipC38.8%14%16.3%ZIP codes
Berrien SpringsB+36.3%11%11.7%CDC place
Pokagon TownshipC−37.5%13.4%17.4%ZIP codes
Niles TownshipC38.3%13%16.5%ZIP codes

Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.

Disability

Living with a disability

Shown without a better/worse judgment.

33.4%

of Berrien Township adults live with a disability (Michigan 31.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.

Walking or climbing stairs15.1%
Thinking or memory15%
Hearing8%
Errands alone9%
Vision5.3%
Dressing or bathing4.1%
Michigan

Every CDC estimate for Berrien Township

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

On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Berrien Township is better than Michigan on 0 and worse on 1; on the rest, the Michigan figure falls inside Berrien Township’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.

Adults who…Berrien TownshipMIU.S.vs MI
Overall health
Fair or poor health20.1%17.3–2319.4%19.4%About the same
Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month)14.8%13–16.714%13%About the same
Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month)17.4%15.4–19.517.6%15.9%About the same
Conditions
Obesity37.8%31.6–44.136.2%32.9%About the same
Diabetes12.7%11–14.411.9%12%About the same
High blood pressure37.4%33.7–41.236.7%34.4%About the same
High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years)35.5%31.7–39.335.4%37.1%About the same
Arthritis30.7%27.6–33.729.1%25.3%About the same
Asthma11.8%10.5–13.111.5%9.9%About the same
Cancer, other than skin cancer9.4%8.5–10.28.9%7.9%About the same
Coronary heart disease7.5%6.6–8.47%6.4%About the same
COPD8.6%7.4–9.98.1%6.3%About the same
Stroke3.9%3.4–4.23.7%3.4%About the same
Lost all teeth (ages 65+)14.5%12.2–17.210.2%12.3%Worse
Habits
Smoke cigarettes14.7%12.2–17.214.6%11.8%About the same
No exercise outside work26.2%22–30.424.9%24.7%About the same
Binge drinking15.3%12.7–18.115.9%15.4%About the same
Sleep under 7 hours37.5%32.6–42.934.7%36%About the same
Checkups and coverage
No health insurance (ages 18–64)7.4%6–96.9%11%About the same
Checkup in the past year79.4%76.2–82.480.3%77.4%About the same
Dentist visit in the past year65.8%62.9–6968%63.2%About the same
Cholesterol check in 5 years87.3%85.5–8987.4%87.1%About the same
Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure)77.3%74.5–79.977.6%76.5%About the same
Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75)70.1%66.1–7469%65.5%About the same
Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74)74.7%68.3–80.476.9%76.4%About the same
Mind and connection
Ever told they have depression26.2%22.7–29.725.7%20.6%About the same
Feel lonely31.9%27.3–36.732.4%32.5%About the same
Lack social and emotional support22.3%19–25.823.1%23.6%About the same
Everyday needs
Worried about having enough food15.4%12.8–18.315.4%15%About the same
Worried about keeping housing11.7%9.9–13.711.9%12%About the same
Threatened with a utility shut-off8.7%7.4–10.18.7%7.6%About the same
Lack reliable transportation8.3%7.2–9.58.3%7.9%About the same
Received SNAP (food stamps)14.5%12–17.214.3%11.6%About the same
Disability
Any disability33.4%29.1–37.531.1%30.1%About the same
Difficulty walking or climbing stairs15.1%13–17.214%13.6%About the same
Difficulty concentrating or remembering15%13–16.914.3%13.9%About the same
Hearing difficulty8%7.1–97.3%6.7%About the same
Vision difficulty5.3%4.7–5.94.9%5.4%About the same
Difficulty doing errands alone9%7.9–10.38.6%7.9%About the same
Difficulty dressing or bathing4.1%3.6–4.73.8%3.8%About the same

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 Michigan figure falls inside that range.

Questions about health in Berrien Township

Is Berrien Township a healthy place to live?

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Berrien Township is healthier than 42% of U.S. towns: ≈ C+ for health, #394 of 701 in Michigan. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 39%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.

What is the obesity rate in Berrien Township?

CDC estimates 37.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 31.6% and 44.1%, against 36.2% across Michigan and 32.9% nationally.

What hospital is closest to Berrien Township?

Ascension Borgess Lee Hospital in Dowagiac, 9.3 miles in a straight line from Berrien Township’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.

How many people in Berrien Township have no health insurance?

CDC estimates 7.4% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 6–9%), against 6.9% across Michigan.

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 Berrien Township more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to A−.

Neighbors talk health

Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Berrien Township.

Town Square →
Ask your neighbors

Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Michigan 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.