On CDC estimates, Licking is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
Licking differs from Missouri on 24 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 23 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Licking. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Licking
Dental care lags in Licking
44.3% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 60.4% across Missouri. Among those 65 and older, 28.9% have lost all their teeth (Missouri 15.8%). Checkups ↓
Licking is in the bottom 2% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Licking is healthier than only 2% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Licking
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (27%), about twice the Missouri rate. Utility shut-off threats (17.4% vs 9%) and no reliable transportation (15.4% vs 8.4%) are higher too. 25% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.8% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Licking is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Licking is healthier than 2%. Against the 1,364 towns with similar household incomes ($27K–$45K), it’s healthier than 21%. 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 Licking’s likely range.
What’s behind Licking’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Licking is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns, #232 of 247 in Missouri. All seven of Licking’s estimates fall in the lowest 12% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is smoking: 26.5% of adults, against 16% across Missouri and 11.8% 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). Licking’s median household income is $35,652; among the 1,364 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($27K–$45K), it’s healthier than 21%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Licking compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.6% (U.S. 7.9%).
Keeping up with care
Share of Licking adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
25% of Licking adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
Out of every 100 Licking adults…
Licking runs below MO on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 7. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Licking
No hospital or community health center in Licking itself. These are the nearest.
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 Licking; ≈ 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.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Licking adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Licking runs above Missouri.
1 in 3 Licking 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.
Licking and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licking | D− | 46.6% | 15.6% | 26.5% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Licking adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Licking
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Licking is better than Missouri on 1 and worse on 23; on the rest, the Missouri figure falls inside Licking’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Licking | MO | U.S. | vs MO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 31.4%27.5–35.9 | 20.5% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.7%15.7–20.2 | 14.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.5%18.3–23.3 | 17.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 46.6%38.7–54.9 | 36.6% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 15.6%13.7–17.8 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 43.9%39.5–48.5 | 36.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 36.3%32.1–40.9 | 37.5% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 27.5%24.5–30.8 | 28.8% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 10.1%8.9–11.5 | 10.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.6%5.9–7.3 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.5%7.6–9.6 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 11.2%9.8–13 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.7%4.2–5.3 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 28.9%24.3–33.5 | 15.8% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 26.5%22.7–30.8 | 16% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 39.2%33.7–45.2 | 28.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 16.6%13.7–20.1 | 16.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 44.7%37.6–51.7 | 36.5% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 15.7%12.4–19.7 | 8.7% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 75%70.8–78.8 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 44.3%40.5–47.9 | 60.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 75.8%72.4–78.8 | 84.5% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 72.2%69.1–75.3 | 77.2% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 53.1%47.6–58.4 | 64% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 68.6%59.7–76.5 | 74.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22.8%19.5–26.7 | 24.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 33%28–38.3 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 25.7%21.7–29.9 | 20.1% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 27%22.5–31.7 | 13.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 21.3%18–24.8 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 17.4%14.9–20 | 9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 15.4%13.1–17.9 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 25%20.7–29.5 | 10.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 46.2%41.2–52 | 36.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 20.4%17.8–23.2 | 15.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 23.7%20.9–27.1 | 17.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.1%9–11.3 | 8.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 8.4%7.4–9.6 | 5.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13%11.5–15 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.4%5.6–7.4 | 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 Licking
Is Licking a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Licking is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #232 of 247 in Missouri. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 21%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Licking?
CDC estimates 46.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 38.7% and 54.9%, against 36.6% across Missouri and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Licking?
Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, 13.8 miles in a straight line from Licking’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Licking have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 15.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 12.4–19.7%), 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 Licking 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 Licking.
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.