Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Union Township is healthier than 85%
Union Township differs from Michigan on 17 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 7 better, 10 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 48858. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Union Township
Mental distress runs high in Union Township
1 in 5 adults are in frequent mental distress (22.2%), vs 17.6% across Michigan. Depression is above the state too: 30.7%, vs 25.7% across Michigan. Mind & connection ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Union Township
1 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (20.5%), vs 15.4% across Michigan. No reliable transportation (12.1% vs 8.3%) and utility shut-off threats (11.2% vs 8.7%) are higher too. 20.6% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.3% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Union Township
61.8% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 68% across Michigan. Among those 65 and older, 14.8% have lost all their teeth (Michigan 10.2%). Checkups ↓
Union Township is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Union Township is healthier than 37%. Against the 3,574 towns with similar household incomes ($33K–$55K), it’s healthier than 85%. Health Grade ↓
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 Union Township’s likely range; Union Township’s figures come from ZIP code 48858, which may reach past town lines; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B+.
What’s behind Union Township’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Union Township is healthier than 37% of U.S. towns, #437 of 701 in Michigan. Diabetes holds the grade up (fewer adults with diabetes than 82% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 2%).
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). Union Township’s median household income is $43,694; among the 3,574 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($33K–$55K), it’s healthier than 85%, more than its income alone would suggest.
Where Union Township compares well: high cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years), 30.5% (U.S. 37.1%); cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.8% (U.S. 7.9%); coronary heart disease, 5.8% (U.S. 6.4%).
How Union Township adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Union Township runs above Michigan.
2 in 5 Union Township 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.
20.6% of Union Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Michigan.
Keeping up with care
Share of Union Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Michigan.
Out of every 100 Union Township adults…
Union Township runs below MI on 7 of 12 conditions and above it on 2. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 11% of Union Township residents are 65 or older, vs 19% across Michigan. Heart disease, arthritis and stroke run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Union Township
1 community health center in Union Township, plus the nearest just outside it.
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 Union 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).
Everyday habits, side by side with Michigan
Share of adults, with the Michigan figure marked.
4.3 miles of trails across 7 parks and preserves
Union Township and the towns around it
Union Township has the best Health Grade of the 5 graded towns around it.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union Township | C+ | 40.2% | 9.9% | 16% | ZIP 48858 |
| Deerfield Township | C+ | 40.2% | 10.1% | 16.1% | ZIP codes |
| Chippewa Township | C | 40.2% | 10.7% | 16.4% | ZIP codes |
| Isabella Township | C | 40.9% | 11.7% | 17% | ZIP codes |
| Lincoln Township | C | 40.3% | 12.1% | 17.3% | ZIP codes |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Union Township adults live with a disability (Michigan 31.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Union Township
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Union Township is better than Michigan on 7 and worse on 10; on the rest, the Michigan figure falls inside Union Township’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Union Township | MI | U.S. | vs MI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 20.8%18.3–23.3 | 19.4% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.3%12.6–15.9 | 14% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 22.2%19.8–24.5 | 17.6% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 40.2%32.9–47.7 | 36.2% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 9.9%8.7–11.3 | 11.9% | 12% | Better |
| High blood pressure | 31.8%28.2–35.5 | 36.7% | 34.4% | Better |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 30.5%26.8–34.1 | 35.4% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 24.3%21.6–27.1 | 29.1% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 12.4%11–13.9 | 11.5% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.8%6.2–7.5 | 8.9% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.8%5.2–6.3 | 7% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 7.9%7.1–8.7 | 8.1% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3%2.8–3.2 | 3.7% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 14.8%12.5–18.1 | 10.2% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 16%14–18.1 | 14.6% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 26%22–30.1 | 24.9% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 17.6%14.5–21 | 15.9% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 35.4%30.4–42.8 | 34.7% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 7.9%6.7–9.3 | 6.9% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 77.5%73.8–80.9 | 80.3% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 61.8%58.6–65.5 | 68% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 79.5%77.2–81.7 | 87.4% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 69.4%66.7–71.9 | 77.6% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 67.1%63–72.3 | 69% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.6%68.4–82 | 76.9% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 30.7%26.7–34.8 | 25.7% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 37.5%31.8–43.6 | 32.4% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 23.2%19.4–27.3 | 23.1% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 20.5%17.6–23.6 | 15.4% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 14.2%12.1–16.5 | 11.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 11.2%9.6–12.8 | 8.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 12.1%10.6–13.7 | 8.3% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 20.6%17.9–23.5 | 14.3% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 35.1%30.8–39.3 | 31.1% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 12.8%11.2–14.4 | 14% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.2%17.2–21.1 | 14.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.9%6.1–7.6 | 7.3% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 5.8%5.3–6.3 | 4.9% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11%9.9–12.1 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 3.9%3.5–4.2 | 3.8% | 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 Union Township
Is Union Township a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Union Township is healthier than 37% of U.S. towns: C+ for health, #437 of 701 in Michigan. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Union Township?
CDC estimates 40.2% of adults have obesity, likely between 32.9% and 47.7%, against 36.2% across Michigan and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Union Township?
Mclaren Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant, 3.2 miles in a straight line from Union Township’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Union Township have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 7.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 6.7–9.3%), 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 Union Township more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Union Township.
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.