Photo: en:User:Cngodles · CC BY 2.5On CDC estimates, New Madrid is healthier than 10% of U.S. towns
New Madrid differs from Missouri on 16 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 14 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for New Madrid. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in New Madrid
New Madrid is in the bottom 10% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, New Madrid is healthier than only 10% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on five of the seven. Health Grade ↓
Stroke, COPD and diabetes run high in New Madrid
1 in 21 adults have had a stroke (4.8%), vs 3.6% across Missouri. 1 in 10 adults have COPD (10.5%), vs 8% across Missouri. Diabetes is also above the state: 15.4%, vs 12.1% across Missouri. In all, New Madrid runs above Missouri on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in New Madrid
1 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (18.3%), vs 13.7% across Missouri. Utility shut-off threats (11.2% vs 9%) and no reliable transportation (10.3% vs 8.4%) are higher too. 15.9% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.8% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
More high blood pressure in New Madrid, and more people treating it
43.2% of adults have high blood pressure (Missouri 36.5%), but 80.5% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.2% statewide. Checkups ↓
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 New Madrid’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C+.
What’s behind New Madrid’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, New Madrid is healthier than 10% of U.S. towns, #194 of 247 in Missouri. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 28% of U.S. towns); no exercise pulls it down (better than 6%).
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). New Madrid’s median household income is $57,727; among the 8,227 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($43K–$72K), it’s healthier than 14%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where New Madrid compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 80.5% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 New Madrid adults…
New Madrid runs above MO on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
15.9% of New Madrid adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
Keeping up with care
Share of New Madrid adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
Care in and near New Madrid
1 community health center in New Madrid, 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 New Madrid; ≈ 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.
1.9 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How New Madrid adults are doing
About the same as Missouri on each measure.
1 in 3 New Madrid 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.
New Madrid and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Madrid | D | 42.1% | 15.4% | 18.7% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of New Madrid adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for New Madrid
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, New Madrid is better than Missouri on 2 and worse on 14; on the rest, the Missouri figure falls inside New Madrid’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | New Madrid | MO | U.S. | vs MO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 25.5%21.9–29.5 | 20.5% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 16.8%14.7–19.2 | 14.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.3%16.1–20.7 | 17.5% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 42.1%34.8–49.4 | 36.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 15.4%13.4–17.6 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 43.2%39–47.3 | 36.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 40%35.8–44.2 | 37.5% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 34.5%31–38 | 28.8% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.3%10.1–12.8 | 10.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.2%8.3–10.3 | 8.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.5%7.4–9.5 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.5%8.9–12.2 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.8%4.2–5.3 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 17.4%14.3–21 | 15.8% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 18.7%15.6–22.1 | 16% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 36.1%30.6–41.7 | 28.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 13.4%11–16.1 | 16.3% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 42.2%35.7–49 | 36.5% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 9.7%7.6–12 | 8.7% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.6%76.2–82.8 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 51.1%47.3–55.1 | 60.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.6%82.3–86.7 | 84.5% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 80.5%78–82.8 | 77.2% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 64.5%59.6–69.3 | 64% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 70.3%62.1–78 | 74.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 24.7%21.2–28.4 | 24.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 32.4%27.6–37.5 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 21.3%18–24.8 | 20.1% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 18.3%15.3–21.6 | 13.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 14.5%12.4–16.9 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 11.2%9.7–12.9 | 9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 10.3%9–11.9 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 15.9%13.2–18.8 | 10.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 42.2%37.2–47.4 | 36.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 20.8%17.9–23.8 | 15.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.3%16.8–22.1 | 17.2% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 9.6%8.5–10.8 | 8.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 6.7%5.8–7.6 | 5.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.5%10–13.3 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.3%4.6–6.1 | 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 New Madrid
Is New Madrid a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, New Madrid is healthier than 10% of U.S. towns: D for health, #194 of 247 in Missouri. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 14%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in New Madrid?
CDC estimates 42.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 34.8% and 49.4%, against 36.6% across Missouri and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to New Madrid?
Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, 21.0 miles in a straight line from New Madrid’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in New Madrid have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 9.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 7.6–12%), 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 New Madrid 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 New Madrid.
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.