Berkeley’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Berkeley differs from Missouri on 24 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 22 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Berkeley. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Berkeley
Making ends meet is harder in Berkeley
36.3% of adults worry about having enough food, vs 13.7% across Missouri (more than twice the Missouri rate). Utility shut-off threats (25.2% vs 9%) and housing insecurity (30.7% vs 12.1%) are higher too. 35.8% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.8% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Berkeley
43.3% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 60.4% across Missouri. Among those 65 and older, 29.9% have lost all their teeth (Missouri 15.8%). Checkups ↓
Berkeley is in the bottom 1% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Berkeley is healthier than only 1% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. 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 Missouri figure falls outside Berkeley’s likely range.
What’s behind Berkeley’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Berkeley is near the bottom of U.S. towns, #239 of 247 in Missouri. All seven of Berkeley’s estimates fall in the lowest 8% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is no exercise: 41.5% of adults, against 28.8% across Missouri and 24.7% nationally.
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). Berkeley’s median household income is $44,265; among the 3,743 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($33K–$55K), it’s healthier than 4%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Berkeley compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.1% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 12.3% (U.S. 15.4%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
35.8% of Berkeley adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
Keeping up with care
Share of Berkeley adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
Out of every 100 Berkeley adults…
Berkeley runs below MO on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 7. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 12% of Berkeley residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across Missouri. Cancer run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Berkeley
1 community health center in Berkeley, 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 Berkeley; ≈ 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 Missouri
Share of adults, with the Missouri figure marked.
0.5 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Berkeley adults are doing
On 3 of 4 measures, Berkeley runs above Missouri.
2 in 5 Berkeley 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.
Berkeley and the towns around it
Berkeley’s Health Grade ranks 5th of 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley | D− | 44.9% | 19% | 23.4% | CDC place |
| Kinloch | — | — | — | — | |
| Hazelwood | C | 36.4% | 12.8% | 17.4% | CDC place |
| St. John | D | 39% | 14.7% | 23.1% | CDC place |
| Woodson Terrace | D | 39% | 14.8% | 23% | CDC place |
| Ferguson | D− | 42.6% | 17.3% | 21.5% | CDC place |
| Bel-Ridge | D− | 46.2% | 19.9% | 25.4% | CDC place |
| Cool Valley | D− | 45.4% | 21.7% | 22.9% | CDC place |
Kinloch: 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 Berkeley adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Berkeley
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Berkeley is better than Missouri on 2 and worse on 22; on the rest, the Missouri figure falls inside Berkeley’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Berkeley | MO | U.S. | vs MO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 32.8%29.8–36 | 20.5% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.8%16–19.8 | 14.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.6%19.6–23.9 | 17.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 44.9%40.9–49.3 | 36.6% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 19%17.1–21.1 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 47.2%44.4–50.3 | 36.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 35.1%32.3–38.1 | 37.5% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 30.2%27.9–32.8 | 28.8% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 13.5%12.1–15.1 | 10.6% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.1%4.7–5.6 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.5%6.8–8.3 | 6.8% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 10.2%9.2–11.5 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.7%5.2–6.2 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 29.9%25.3–34.7 | 15.8% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 23.4%20.6–26.2 | 16% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 41.5%37.9–45.5 | 28.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.3%10.5–14.3 | 16.3% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 45.4%40.9–49.9 | 36.5% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 13.5%11.3–15.8 | 8.7% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 80.6%78–83 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 43.3%39.8–46.8 | 60.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.2%80–84.3 | 84.5% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.1%76.8–81.2 | 77.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 60.7%56–65.3 | 64% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 76.4%69.5–82.3 | 74.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22.6%20.1–25.4 | 24.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 40%36.4–43.9 | 31.7% | 32.5% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 29.5%26.3–33 | 20.1% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 36.3%32.4–40 | 13.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 30.7%27.4–33.9 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 25.2%22.5–28 | 9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 19.9%17.7–22.1 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 35.8%31.8–39.7 | 10.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 46.2%42.7–49.8 | 36.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 23.8%21.6–26.2 | 15.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 23.1%20.9–25.5 | 17.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.9%6.1–7.6 | 8.3% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 10.4%9.5–11.4 | 5.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 15.5%13.9–17.2 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7.9%7.1–8.7 | 3.9% | 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 Missouri figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Berkeley
Is Berkeley a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Berkeley is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health, #239 of 247 in Missouri. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 4%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Berkeley?
CDC estimates 44.9% of adults have obesity, likely between 40.9% and 49.3%, against 36.6% across Missouri and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Berkeley?
SSM Health Depaul Hospital St. Louis in Bridgeton, 5.3 miles in a straight line from Berkeley’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Berkeley have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 13.5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.3–15.8%), against 8.7% across Missouri.
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 Berkeley more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Berkeley.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Missouri 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.