Photo: Catfilmnoir a.k.a. Carol Baier · CC BY-SA 2.0Within Missouri, Macon is healthier than 53% of graded towns
Macon differs from Missouri on 5 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 4 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Macon. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Macon
Macon looks healthier next to Missouri than next to the country
It’s healthier than 53% of the 247 Missouri towns we grade, but 33% of towns nationwide. Much of Missouri scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
Cancer and heart disease run high in Macon
1 in 10 adults have had cancer (10.4%), vs 8.6% across Missouri. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.2%), vs 6.8% across Missouri. In all, Macon runs above Missouri on three of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Macon is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Macon is healthier than 33%. Against the 9,317 towns with similar household incomes ($46K–$77K), it’s healthier than 50%. 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 Macon’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B+.
What’s behind Macon’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Macon is healthier than 33% of U.S. towns, #116 of 247 in Missouri. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 65% of U.S. towns); no exercise pulls it down (better than 16%).
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). Macon’s median household income is $61,642; among the 9,317 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($46K–$77K), it’s healthier than 50%, about where its income would put it.
Where Macon compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 80.2% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Macon adults…
Macon runs above MO on 4 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Macon
1 hospital and 1 community health center in Macon, 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 Macon; ≈ 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.
1.2 miles of trails across 8 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Macon adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
How Macon adults are doing
About the same as Missouri on each measure.
1 in 3 Macon 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.
10.5% of Macon adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
Macon and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macon | C | 34.1% | 12.9% | 16.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Macon adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Macon
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Macon is better than Missouri on 1 and worse on 4; on the rest, the Missouri figure falls inside Macon’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Macon | MO | U.S. | vs MO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 22.3%19.2–25.5 | 20.5% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.6%13.6–17.6 | 14.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.4%15.4–19.6 | 17.5% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 34.1%26.9–41.4 | 36.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 12.9%11.1–14.7 | 12.1% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 39%34.7–43 | 36.5% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 39.3%35–43.5 | 37.5% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 32.8%29.2–36.1 | 28.8% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.6%9.4–11.9 | 10.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 10.4%9.4–11.5 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.2%7.2–9.2 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 9.2%7.9–10.6 | 8% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 4.2%3.8–4.7 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 14.7%11.8–17.4 | 15.8% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 16.3%13.8–18.9 | 16% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 31.8%26.9–36.8 | 28.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 14.9%12.3–17.6 | 16.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 36.8%30.3–43.4 | 36.5% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 8.8%7.1–10.8 | 8.7% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.8%76.5–82.9 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 59.4%55.5–62.9 | 60.4% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85%83–86.8 | 84.5% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 80.2%77.6–82.4 | 77.2% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 67.1%61.8–71.6 | 64% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 75.8%67.8–82.3 | 74.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 23.9%20.4–27.5 | 24.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 30.9%26.1–35.8 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 19.8%16.6–23.1 | 20.1% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 13.1%10.9–15.6 | 13.7% | 15% | About the same |
| Worried about keeping housing | 11%9.4–12.9 | 12.1% | 12% | About the same |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 8.1%7–9.3 | 9% | 7.6% | About the same |
| Lack reliable transportation | 8.1%7–9.2 | 8.4% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 10.5%8.7–12.5 | 10.8% | 11.6% | About the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39.9%35.1–44.6 | 36.2% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 18.4%15.9–21.1 | 15.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.8%15.7–20.1 | 17.2% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.3%9.1–11.5 | 8.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 5.5%4.9–6.3 | 5.1% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 10%8.7–11.4 | 9.2% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.2%3.7–4.8 | 3.9% | 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 Missouri figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Macon
Is Macon a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Macon is healthier than 33% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #116 of 247 in Missouri. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 50%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Macon?
CDC estimates 34.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 26.9% and 41.4%, against 36.6% across Missouri and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Macon?
Macon County Samaritan Memorial Hospital in Macon, 0.4 miles in a straight line from Macon’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Macon have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 8.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 7.1–10.8%), 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 Macon more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Macon.
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.