On CDC estimates, Independence Township is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns
Independence Township differs from Missouri on 22 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 21 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 63857, 63852, 63876, 63849. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Independence Township
Independence Township is in the bottom 3% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Independence Township is healthier than only 3% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
More Independence Township adults get no exercise
2 in 5 adults get no exercise outside work (41.7%), vs 28.8% across Missouri. There are 63 miles of trails across 8 parks and preserves in town, a place to start. Habits ↓
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Independence Township
1 in 8 adults have COPD (11.9%), vs 8% across Missouri. 1 in 20 adults have had a stroke (5%), vs 3.6% across Missouri. Heart disease is also above the state: 9.1%, vs 6.8% across Missouri. In all, Independence Township runs above Missouri on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
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 Independence Township’s likely range; Independence Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 63857, 63852, 63876, 63849, which may reach past town lines.
What’s behind Independence Township’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Independence Township is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns, #231 of 247 in Missouri. All seven of Independence Township’s estimates fall in the lowest 11% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is no exercise: 41.7% 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). Independence Township’s median household income is $55,521; among the 7,582 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($42K–$69K), it’s healthier than 3%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Everyday habits, side by side with Missouri
Share of adults, with the Missouri figure marked.
63 miles of trails across 8 parks and preserves
Out of every 100 Independence Township adults…
Independence Township runs above MO on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Independence Township
1 community health center in Independence 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 Independence 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Independence Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
How Independence Township adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Independence Township runs above Missouri.
1 in 3 Independence 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.
19.5% of Independence Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
Independence Township and the towns around it
Independence Township’s Health Grade ranks 2nd of 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence Township | D− | 46.2% | 15.9% | 22.4% | ZIP codes |
| Salem Township | D− | 47.1% | 16.4% | 24.3% | ZIP codes |
| Clay Township | D− | 45.4% | 16.1% | 22.2% | ZIP codes |
| Holcomb Township | D− | 45.8% | 15.4% | 23.6% | ZIP codes |
| Freeborn Township | D− | 46.4% | 16% | 23.8% | ZIP codes |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Independence Township adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Independence Township
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Independence Township is better than Missouri on 1 and worse on 21; on the rest, the Missouri figure falls inside Independence Township’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Independence Township | MO | U.S. | vs MO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 29.3%26–32.7 | 20.5% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 19%16.9–21.2 | 14.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.9%17.7–22.1 | 17.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 46.2%39.1–53.1 | 36.6% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 15.9%13.9–17.9 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 44.1%39.8–48.1 | 36.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 40%35.9–44.1 | 37.5% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 34.2%30.8–37.6 | 28.8% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.5%10.2–12.9 | 10.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.8%7.9–9.7 | 8.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.1%8.2–10.1 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 11.9%10.5–13.4 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5%4.5–5.4 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 24.4%20.4–28.6 | 15.8% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 22.4%19.4–25.3 | 16% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 41.7%36.5–46.8 | 28.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 13.5%11.1–16.1 | 16.3% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 39.9%34–45.9 | 36.5% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 12.6%10.6–14.7 | 8.7% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.5%74.9–81.7 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 49.4%45.7–53 | 60.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.3%80.1–84.3 | 84.5% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.6%75.9–81.1 | 77.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 58.5%53.4–63.3 | 64% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 70.2%61.9–77.4 | 74.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.3%22.6–30.1 | 24.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 35.1%30.7–39.8 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 22.3%19.4–25.5 | 20.1% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 21.9%19.2–24.8 | 13.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 17.1%15–19.3 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 12.7%11.3–14.3 | 9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 12.1%10.9–13.6 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 19.5%17.1–22.2 | 10.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 46%41.3–50.7 | 36.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 23%20.3–25.7 | 15.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 22.1%19.7–24.5 | 17.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.5%9.3–11.6 | 8.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 7.7%7–8.6 | 5.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13%11.6–14.4 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6%5.4–6.7 | 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 Independence Township
Is Independence Township a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Independence Township is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #231 of 247 in Missouri. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 3%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Independence Township?
CDC estimates 46.2% of adults have obesity, likely between 39.1% and 53.1%, against 36.6% across Missouri and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Independence Township?
Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott, 14.1 miles in a straight line from Independence Township’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Independence Township have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 12.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10.6–14.7%), 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 Independence Township 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 Independence Township.
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.