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≈ C−Health Grade
Health in Pennfield Township · CDC PLACES 2025

On CDC estimates, Pennfield Township is healthier than 22% of U.S. towns

Pennfield Township trails Michigan on 6 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.

Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 49017, 49014, 49021. How CDC estimates town health

What stands out · In brief

What stands out about health in Pennfield Township

Obesity and COPD run high in Pennfield Township

42.8% of adults have obesity, vs 36.2% across Michigan. 1 in 11 adults have COPD (9.5%), vs 8.1% across Michigan. Conditions ↓

Smoking is more common in Pennfield Township

1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (17.6%), vs 14.6% across Michigan. 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 Michigan figure falls outside Pennfield Township’s likely range; Pennfield Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 49017, 49014, 49021, 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 Pennfield Township’s grade

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Pennfield Township is healthier than 22% of U.S. towns, #583 of 701 in Michigan. Fair or poor health holds the grade up (fewer adults who rate their health fair or poor than 35% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 8%).

C+Self-rated health21.3% · MI 19.4% · U.S. 19.4%
CPhysical distress15.4% · MI 14% · U.S. 13%
C−Mental distress18.8% · MI 17.6% · U.S. 15.9%
DObesity42.8% · MI 36.2% · U.S. 32.9%
CDiabetes13.3% · MI 11.9% · U.S. 12%
C−Smoking17.6% smoke · MI 14.6% · U.S. 11.8%
CExercise27.8% · MI 24.9% · U.S. 24.7%
All U.S. towns we grade (21,250)Healthier than 22%
Less healthyHealthier
Michigan towns we grade (701)Healthier than 17%
U.S. towns with similar incomes, $50K–$83K (10,106)Healthier than 24%

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). Pennfield Township’s median household income is $66,119; among the 10,106 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($50K–$83K), it’s healthier than 24%, 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, Pennfield Township could be anywhere from D to B−. The letter shows with “≈”. These are ZIP code figures (ZIP 49017,49014,49021), weighted by land area, which can reach past town lines.

How TownRatings grades health →

★ What stands out · Chronic conditions

Out of every 100 Pennfield Township adults…

Pennfield Township runs above MI on 2 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.

43 of every 100 Pennfield Township adults have obesity
Michigan: 36 in 100 · worse · likely 36.4–49.1%
Better than MIWorseAbout the sameMichigan
Habits

Everyday habits, side by side with Michigan

Share of adults, with the Michigan figure marked.

Get no exercise 27.8%MI 24.9%
Sleep under 7 hours 34.4%MI 34.7%
Binge drink 15.1%MI 15.9%
Smoke cigarettes 17.6%MI 14.6%
0%10%20%30%40%
Pennfield Township, betterPennfield Township, worseAbout the sameMichigan
Where Pennfield Township gets moving

1.8 miles of trails across 5 parks and preserves

Parks & trails →
Getting care

Care in and near Pennfield Township

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

HNearest ERBronson Battle Creek HospitalBattle Creek · 4.9 miDirections →
★Best rated nearbyOaklawn Hospital★★★★★ · 10.9 miDirections →
+Low-cost careGrace HealthBattle Creek · 5.1 mi · sliding-scale feesDirections →
4.9 mi
Bronson Battle Creek Hospital
Battle Creek · ★★★★★
ER
5.1 mi
Grace Health
3 sites · nearest in Battle Creek
Sliding-scale fees
Directions to nearest
9.8 mi
Battle Creek VA Medical Center
Battle Creek · not rated
For veterans
10.9 mi
Oaklawn Hospital
Marshall · ★★★★★
ER
19.1 mi
University of Michigan Health - Sparrow Eaton
Charlotte · ★★★★★
ERRural critical access
20.4 mi
Barry Community Health Center
Hastings · community health center
Sliding-scale fees
✓ Primary careNo HRSA shortage area covers Pennfield Township itself
✓ Dental careNo HRSA shortage area covers Pennfield Township itself
✓ Mental healthNo HRSA shortage area covers Pennfield 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 Pennfield 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).

Checkups & screenings

Keeping up with care

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

80%Yearly checkupMI 80%
66%Dentist visitMI 68%
87%Cholesterol checkMI 87%
69%Colon screeningMI 69%
75%MammogramMI 77%
78%Taking BP medsMI 78%
1 in 13
working-age adults has no health insurance
Pennfield Township 7.9% · Michigan 1 in 14 (6.9%)
Mind & connection

How Pennfield Township adults are doing

About the same as Michigan on each measure.

1 in 3Pennfield Township adults feel lonely
33.3% · MI 32.4% · About the same as MI
1 in 4Pennfield Township adults lack social or emotional support
23.9% · MI 23.1% · About the same as MI
1 in 4Pennfield Township adults have been diagnosed with depression
27.3% · MI 25.7% · About the same as MI
1 in 5Pennfield Township adults are in frequent mental distress
18.8% · MI 17.6% · About the same as MI
The one neighbors can help with

1 in 3 Pennfield 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
Pennfield Township adults worry about having enough food
18% · MI 15.4%
Worse than MI
1 in 7
Pennfield Township adults worry about keeping their housing
13.5% · MI 11.9%
About the same as MI
1 in 10
Pennfield Township adults were threatened with a utility shut-off
10.3% · MI 8.7%
Worse than MI
1 in 11
Pennfield Township adults lack reliable transportation
9.5% · MI 8.3%
Worse than MI

18.3% of Pennfield Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Michigan.

Around town

Pennfield Township and the towns around it

Pennfield Township’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 5 graded towns around it.

Battle Creek: 44.4%Brownlee Park: 48.8%Bedford Township: 43.4%Convis Township: 39.8%Emmett Township: 42.3%Level Park-Oak Park: 41.8%Leroy Township: 40.2%Charleston Township: 36.8%Ross Township: 35.5%Springfield: 44.6%Johnstown Township: 39.9%Lee Township: 38%Marshall Township: 39.7%Bellevue Township: 39.3%Newton Township: 40.4%Pennfield Township: 42.8%Pennfield TownshipBattle CreekBrownlee ParkBedford TownshipConvis TownshipEmmett TownshipBronson Battle Creek Hospital · Battle Creek · 4.9 mi · 3★ MedicareHBattle Creek VA Medical Center · Battle Creek · 9.8 miHOaklawn Hospital · Marshall · 10.9 mi · 4★ MedicareHGrace Health · Battle Creek · 5.1 mi+
Healthier than MINear MILess healthyHHospital+Health center
Obesity
#12 of 16 towns on this map, healthiest first
Convis Township39.8%
Emmett Township42.3%
Pennfield Township42.8%
Bedford Township43.4%
Battle Creek44.4%
Brownlee Park48.8%
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
Pennfield TownshipC−42.8%13.3%17.6%ZIP codes
Battle CreekD44.4%14.3%18.8%CDC place
Brownlee Park————
Bedford TownshipC−43.4%14%17.6%ZIP codes
Convis TownshipC+39.8%11.9%15.6%ZIP codes
Emmett TownshipC42.3%12.9%17.5%ZIP codes

Brownlee Park: a Census-designated place inside a larger town, graded as part of it. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.

Disability

Living with a disability

Shown without a better/worse judgment.

35.1%

of Pennfield Township adults live with a disability (Michigan 31.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.

Walking or climbing stairs16%
Thinking or memory16.2%
Hearing8%
Errands alone10%
Vision5.8%
Dressing or bathing4.5%
Michigan

Every CDC estimate for Pennfield Township

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

On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Pennfield Township is better than Michigan on 0 and worse on 6; on the rest, the Michigan figure falls inside Pennfield Township’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.

Adults who…Pennfield TownshipMIU.S.vs MI
Overall health
Fair or poor health21.3%18.9–23.819.4%19.4%About the same
Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month)15.4%13.7–17.114%13%About the same
Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month)18.8%16.8–20.817.6%15.9%About the same
Conditions
Obesity42.8%36.4–49.136.2%32.9%Worse
Diabetes13.3%11.7–1511.9%12%About the same
High blood pressure39.4%35.6–4336.7%34.4%About the same
High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years)37.1%33.3–40.835.4%37.1%About the same
Arthritis31.7%28.5–34.729.1%25.3%About the same
Asthma12%10.7–13.411.5%9.9%About the same
Cancer, other than skin cancer9.2%8.4–108.9%7.9%About the same
Coronary heart disease7.6%6.8–8.37%6.4%About the same
COPD9.5%8.5–10.48.1%6.3%Worse
Stroke4%3.7–4.33.7%3.4%About the same
Lost all teeth (ages 65+)12.6%10.2–15.110.2%12.3%About the same
Habits
Smoke cigarettes17.6%15.4–19.814.6%11.8%Worse
No exercise outside work27.8%24–31.824.9%24.7%About the same
Binge drinking15.1%12.5–17.715.9%15.4%About the same
Sleep under 7 hours34.4%29.2–4034.7%36%About the same
Checkups and coverage
No health insurance (ages 18–64)7.9%6.8–9.16.9%11%About the same
Checkup in the past year79.9%76.7–82.680.3%77.4%About the same
Dentist visit in the past year65.8%62.5–69.168%63.2%About the same
Cholesterol check in 5 years86.5%84.9–8887.4%87.1%About the same
Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure)77.8%75.1–80.177.6%76.5%About the same
Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75)69%64.7–7369%65.5%About the same
Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74)74.8%68–80.976.9%76.4%About the same
Mind and connection
Ever told they have depression27.3%23.8–30.725.7%20.6%About the same
Feel lonely33.3%28.8–38.232.4%32.5%About the same
Lack social and emotional support23.9%20.6–27.423.1%23.6%About the same
Everyday needs
Worried about having enough food18%15.8–20.415.4%15%Worse
Worried about keeping housing13.5%11.8–15.311.9%12%About the same
Threatened with a utility shut-off10.3%9.1–11.68.7%7.6%Worse
Lack reliable transportation9.5%8.4–10.68.3%7.9%Worse
Received SNAP (food stamps)18.3%16.1–20.414.3%11.6%Higher
Disability
Any disability35.1%31.2–3931.1%30.1%Higher
Difficulty walking or climbing stairs16%14.1–17.914%13.6%Higher
Difficulty concentrating or remembering16.2%14.5–17.914.3%13.9%Higher
Hearing difficulty8%7.2–8.97.3%6.7%About the same
Vision difficulty5.8%5.4–6.34.9%5.4%Higher
Difficulty doing errands alone10%9–118.6%7.9%Higher
Difficulty dressing or bathing4.5%4.2–53.8%3.8%Higher

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 Pennfield Township

Is Pennfield Township a healthy place to live?

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Pennfield Township is healthier than 22% of U.S. towns: ≈ C− for health, #583 of 701 in Michigan. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 24%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.

What is the obesity rate in Pennfield Township?

CDC estimates 42.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 36.4% and 49.1%, against 36.2% across Michigan and 32.9% nationally.

What hospital is closest to Pennfield Township?

Bronson Battle Creek Hospital in Battle Creek, 4.9 miles in a straight line from Pennfield Township’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.

How many people in Pennfield Township have no health insurance?

CDC estimates 7.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 6.8–9.1%), 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 Pennfield 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 Pennfield 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.