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≈ CHealth Grade
Health in Columbia Township · CDC PLACES 2025

On CDC estimates, Columbia Township is healthier than 34% of U.S. towns

Columbia Township differs from Michigan on 8 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 4 worse.

Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 48767, 48723. How CDC estimates town health

What stands out · In brief

What stands out about health in Columbia Township

Cancer, heart disease and COPD run high in Columbia Township

1 in 9 adults have had cancer (10.8%), vs 8.9% across Michigan. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.3%), vs 7% across Michigan. COPD is also above the state: 9.6%, vs 8.1% across Michigan. In all, Columbia Township runs above Michigan on four of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 29% of residents are 65 or older (Michigan 19%), and cancer, heart disease and COPD are more common later in life. Conditions ↓

Fewer Columbia Township adults struggle to make ends meet

Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Michigan. 1 in 8 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 6 adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓

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 Michigan figure falls outside Columbia Township’s likely range; Columbia Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 48767, 48723, which may reach past town lines; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B+.

Health Grade

What’s behind Columbia Township’s grade

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Columbia Township is healthier than 34% of U.S. towns. No exercise holds the grade up (fewer adults who get no exercise than 50% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 17%).

B−Self-rated health20% · MI 19.4% · U.S. 19.4%
CPhysical distress15.4% · MI 14% · U.S. 13%
C+Mental distress17.6% · MI 17.6% · U.S. 15.9%
C−Obesity40.7% · MI 36.2% · U.S. 32.9%
C+Diabetes12.7% · MI 11.9% · U.S. 12%
CSmoking16.4% smoke · MI 14.6% · U.S. 11.8%
B−Exercise25.7% · MI 24.9% · U.S. 24.7%
All U.S. towns we grade (21,250)Healthier than 34%
Less healthyHealthier
U.S. towns with similar incomes, $63K–$105K (10,462)Healthier than 22%

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). Columbia Township’s median household income is $84,219; among the 10,462 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($63K–$105K), it’s healthier than 22%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.

Where Columbia Township compares well: worried about keeping housing, 9.7% (U.S. 12%).

A rough placement. CDC’s likely ranges are wide here: with every estimate at one end or the other, Columbia Township could be anywhere from D to B+. The letter shows with “≈”. These are ZIP code figures (ZIP 48767,48723), weighted by land area, which can reach past town lines.

How TownRatings grades health →

★ What stands out · Chronic conditions

Out of every 100 Columbia Township adults…

Columbia Township runs above MI on 4 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.

11 of every 100 Columbia Township adults have had cancer
Michigan: 9 in 100 · worse · likely 9.7–11.9%
Better than MIWorseAbout the sameMichigan
Why age matters here

Columbia Township is an older town: 29% of residents are 65 or older, vs 19% across Michigan. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Columbia Township as about how healthy they are.

Residents 65 and older

Columbia Township29%
Michigan19%
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 8
Columbia Township adults worry about having enough food
12.6% · MI 15.4%
Better than MI
1 in 10
Columbia Township adults worry about keeping their housing
9.7% · MI 11.9%
Better than MI
1 in 14
Columbia Township adults were threatened with a utility shut-off
7.1% · MI 8.7%
Better than MI
1 in 14
Columbia Township adults lack reliable transportation
6.9% · MI 8.3%
Better than MI

11.8% of Columbia Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Michigan.

Getting care

Care in and near Columbia Township

No hospital or community health center in Columbia Township itself. These are the nearest.

HNearest ERMclaren Caro RegionCaro · 9.2 miDirections →
★Best rated nearbyHills & Dales General Hospital★★★★★ · 11.7 miDirections →
+Low-cost careGreat Lakes Bay Health CentersBad Axe · 22.4 mi · sliding-scale feesDirections →
9.2 mi
Mclaren Caro Region
Caro · not rated
ERRural critical access
11.7 mi
Hills & Dales General Hospital
Cass City · ★★★★★
ERRural critical access
15.8 mi
Scheurer Hospital
Pigeon · not rated
ERRural critical access
22.5 mi
Mclaren Thumb Region
Bad Axe · ★★★★★
ERRural critical access
✓ Primary careNo HRSA shortage area covers Columbia Township itself
✓ Dental careNo HRSA shortage area covers Columbia Township itself
✓ Mental healthNo HRSA shortage area covers Columbia 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 Columbia 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).

Habits

Everyday habits, side by side with Michigan

Share of adults, with the Michigan figure marked.

Get no exercise 25.7%MI 24.9%
Sleep under 7 hours 34.3%MI 34.7%
Binge drink 16.2%MI 15.9%
Smoke cigarettes 16.4%MI 14.6%
0%10%20%30%40%
Columbia Township, betterColumbia Township, worseAbout the sameMichigan
Where Columbia Township gets moving

2.5 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves

Parks & trails →
Checkups & screenings

Keeping up with care

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

80%Yearly checkupMI 80%
69%Dentist visitMI 68%
88%Cholesterol checkMI 87%
72%Colon screeningMI 69%
77%MammogramMI 77%
79%Taking BP medsMI 78%
1 in 15
working-age adults has no health insurance
Columbia Township 6.5% · Michigan 1 in 14 (6.9%)
Mind & connection

How Columbia Township adults are doing

About the same as Michigan on each measure.

1 in 3Columbia Township adults feel lonely
31% · MI 32.4% · About the same as MI
1 in 4Columbia Township adults lack social or emotional support
22.8% · MI 23.1% · About the same as MI
1 in 4Columbia Township adults have been diagnosed with depression
26.8% · MI 25.7% · About the same as MI
1 in 6Columbia Township adults are in frequent mental distress
17.6% · MI 17.6% · About the same as MI
The one neighbors can help with

1 in 3 Columbia 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.

Around town

Columbia Township and the towns around it

Columbia Township has the best Health Grade of the 5 graded towns around it.

Akron Township: 40.8%Almer Township: 42.6%Sebewaing Township: 39.1%Elmwood Township: 40.4%Wisner Township: 41.5%Fairgrove Township: 42%Caro: 43.7%Ellington Township: 41.4%Indianfields Township: 42.7%Fairhaven Township: 38.7%Brookfield Township: 39%Elkland Township: 40.4%Columbia Township: 40.7%Columbia TownshipAkron TownshipAlmer TownshipSebewaing TownshipElmwood TownshipMclaren Caro Region · Caro · 9.2 miHHills & Dales General Hospital · Cass City · 11.7 mi · 4★ MedicareHScheurer Hospital · Pigeon · 15.8 miH
Healthier than MINear MILess healthyHHospital+Health center
Obesity
#6 of 13 towns on this map, healthiest first
Sebewaing Township39.1%
Elmwood Township40.4%
Columbia Township40.7%
Akron Township40.8%
Almer Township42.6%
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
Columbia TownshipC40.7%12.7%16.4%ZIP codes
Akron TownshipC40.8%12.4%16.5%ZIP codes
Elmwood TownshipC40.4%12.5%16.8%ZIP codes
Sebewaing TownshipC39.1%13.5%17%ZIP codes
Almer TownshipD42.6%14.2%18.5%ZIP codes

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

Disability

Living with a disability

Shown without a better/worse judgment.

33.1%

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

Walking or climbing stairs15.6%
Thinking or memory14.5%
Hearing8.8%
Errands alone8.7%
Vision4.8%
Dressing or bathing3.9%
Michigan

Every CDC estimate for Columbia Township

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

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

Adults who…Columbia TownshipMIU.S.vs MI
Overall health
Fair or poor health20%17.3–22.919.4%19.4%About the same
Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month)15.4%13.6–17.314%13%About the same
Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month)17.6%15.5–19.717.6%15.9%About the same
Conditions
Obesity40.7%32.7–48.936.2%32.9%About the same
Diabetes12.7%10.9–14.411.9%12%About the same
High blood pressure39.2%34.9–43.436.7%34.4%About the same
High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years)38.5%34–42.935.4%37.1%About the same
Arthritis33.7%30.1–37.329.1%25.3%Worse
Asthma11.4%10.1–12.811.5%9.9%About the same
Cancer, other than skin cancer10.8%9.7–11.98.9%7.9%Worse
Coronary heart disease8.3%7.4–9.27%6.4%Worse
COPD9.6%8.4–10.98.1%6.3%Worse
Stroke4%3.6–4.43.7%3.4%About the same
Lost all teeth (ages 65+)11.7%9.4–14.110.2%12.3%About the same
Habits
Smoke cigarettes16.4%14–1914.6%11.8%About the same
No exercise outside work25.7%21.3–30.224.9%24.7%About the same
Binge drinking16.2%13.3–19.315.9%15.4%About the same
Sleep under 7 hours34.3%28.3–41.234.7%36%About the same
Checkups and coverage
No health insurance (ages 18–64)6.5%5.2–86.9%11%About the same
Checkup in the past year80.4%77–83.580.3%77.4%About the same
Dentist visit in the past year68.7%65.3–72.168%63.2%About the same
Cholesterol check in 5 years88.3%86.6–89.987.4%87.1%About the same
Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure)79.2%76.2–81.877.6%76.5%About the same
Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75)71.7%67.1–7669%65.5%About the same
Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74)77.1%70–83.576.9%76.4%About the same
Mind and connection
Ever told they have depression26.8%23–30.825.7%20.6%About the same
Feel lonely31%26–36.232.4%32.5%About the same
Lack social and emotional support22.8%19.3–26.623.1%23.6%About the same
Everyday needs
Worried about having enough food12.6%10.2–15.215.4%15%Better
Worried about keeping housing9.7%8.1–11.511.9%12%Better
Threatened with a utility shut-off7.1%6–8.28.7%7.6%Better
Lack reliable transportation6.9%5.9–88.3%7.9%Better
Received SNAP (food stamps)11.8%9.6–14.114.3%11.6%Lower
Disability
Any disability33.1%28.8–37.631.1%30.1%About the same
Difficulty walking or climbing stairs15.6%13.5–17.714%13.6%About the same
Difficulty concentrating or remembering14.5%12.8–16.414.3%13.9%About the same
Hearing difficulty8.8%7.8–9.97.3%6.7%Higher
Vision difficulty4.8%4.2–5.44.9%5.4%About the same
Difficulty doing errands alone8.7%7.7–9.88.6%7.9%About the same
Difficulty dressing or bathing3.9%3.4–4.43.8%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 Columbia Township

Is Columbia Township a healthy place to live?

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Columbia Township is healthier than 34% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 22%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.

What is the obesity rate in Columbia Township?

CDC estimates 40.7% of adults have obesity, likely between 32.7% and 48.9%, against 36.2% across Michigan and 32.9% nationally.

What hospital is closest to Columbia Township?

Mclaren Caro Region in Caro, 9.2 miles in a straight line from Columbia Township’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.

How many people in Columbia Township have no health insurance?

CDC estimates 6.5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 5.2–8%), 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 Columbia Township 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 Columbia 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.