Photo: TheCatalyst31 with modifications by Kbh3rd · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Independence as a whole is healthier than 18% of U.S. towns
Independence trails Missouri on 13 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Independence. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Independence
Making ends meet is harder in Independence
1 in 6 adults worry about having enough food (17.9%), vs 13.7% across Missouri. Housing insecurity (15.6% vs 12.1%) and utility shut-off threats (11.4% vs 9%) are higher too. Everyday needs ↓
More Independence adults get no exercise
1 in 3 adults get no exercise outside work (33.9%), vs 28.8% across Missouri. There are 46 miles of trails across 51 parks and preserves in town, a place to start. Habits ↓
1 in 9 working-age adults in Independence has no health insurance
11.5% of adults 18–64 have no health insurance, vs 8.7% across Missouri. Checkups ↓
Health varies a lot right around Independence
Grades next door run from Lee's Summit (A−) to Blue Summit (D−). Independence is a C−. Around town ↓
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’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to C+.
What’s behind Independence’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Independence is healthier than 18% of U.S. towns, #160 of 247 in Missouri. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 41% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 10%).
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’s median household income is $60,339; among the 9,014 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($45K–$75K), it’s healthier than 25%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Few Missouri towns score lower on these estimates than towns elsewhere, so within the state Independence is healthier than 35% of graded towns, against 18% nationally.
At 121,675 residents, Independence is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
14% of Independence adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
Everyday habits, side by side with Missouri
Share of adults, with the Missouri figure marked.
46 miles of trails across 51 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Independence adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
Independence and the towns around it
Independence’s Health Grade ranks 4th of 6 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 | C− | 37.3% | 12.9% | 18.4% | CDC place |
| Blue Springs | B | 34.3% | 9.9% | 14.6% | CDC place |
| Kansas City | C+ | 38.5% | 12% | 15.6% | CDC place |
| Sugar Creek | D | 38.6% | 14% | 21.6% | CDC place |
| Lee's Summit | A− | 32.6% | 9.5% | 11.9% | CDC place |
| Blue Summit | D− | 42.9% | 16.4% | 26.6% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Out of every 100 Independence adults…
Independence runs above MO on 3 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Independence
1 hospital and 2 community health centers in Independence, 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; ≈ 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).
How Independence adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Independence runs above Missouri.
1 in 3 Independence 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Independence adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Independence
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Independence is better than Missouri on 0 and worse on 13; on the rest, the Missouri figure falls inside Independence’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Independence | MO | U.S. | vs MO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 24.1%22–26.5 | 20.5% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 16%14.5–17.6 | 14.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.9%18.1–21.9 | 17.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 37.3%33.5–41.3 | 36.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 12.9%11.6–14.5 | 12.1% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 37.3%34.5–40.1 | 36.5% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 41.3%38.3–44.4 | 37.5% | 37.1% | Worse |
| Arthritis | 29.9%27.6–32.3 | 28.8% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 10.7%9.6–12 | 10.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.7%7.9–9.5 | 8.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.5%6.8–8.2 | 6.8% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 9.4%8.6–10.3 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.1%3.8–4.4 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 16.6%13.9–19.5 | 15.8% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 18.4%16.5–20.4 | 16% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 33.9%30.8–37.2 | 28.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 16.8%14.6–19.2 | 16.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 34.7%31–38.4 | 36.5% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.5%10.1–12.9 | 8.7% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 76.9%74.1–79.6 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 58.5%55.4–61.5 | 60.4% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.7%82–85.4 | 84.5% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 76.5%73.9–78.9 | 77.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 63.2%59.1–67.1 | 64% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 72.9%66.6–78.5 | 74.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.9%24.2–29.8 | 24.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 33.1%29.7–36.6 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 22.8%20.1–25.6 | 20.1% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 17.9%16–19.9 | 13.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 15.6%13.8–17.4 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 11.4%10.1–12.7 | 9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 10.3%9.2–11.5 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 14%12.3–15.7 | 10.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 40.3%37.3–43.5 | 36.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 18.8%17.1–20.7 | 15.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.4%17.7–21.3 | 17.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 9.2%8.3–10.1 | 8.3% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 6.3%5.8–6.8 | 5.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.1%10.1–12.1 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.8%4.4–5.2 | 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
Is Independence a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Independence is healthier than 18% of U.S. towns: C− for health, #160 of 247 in Missouri. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 25%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Independence?
CDC estimates 37.3% of adults have obesity, likely between 33.5% and 41.3%, against 36.6% across Missouri and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Independence?
Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, 2.6 miles in a straight line from Independence’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Independence have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10.1–12.9%), 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 more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to C+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Independence.
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.