Photo: Raschmidt87 · CC BY-SA 4.0Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Springfield is healthier than 68%
Springfield differs from Missouri on 10 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 8 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Springfield. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Springfield
Springfield looks healthier next to Missouri than next to the country
It’s healthier than 50% of the 247 Missouri towns we grade, but 30% of towns nationwide. Much of Missouri scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Springfield
1 in 6 adults worry about having enough food (17.6%), vs 13.7% across Missouri. No reliable transportation (11% vs 8.4%) and utility shut-off threats (10.9% vs 9%) are higher too. 14.8% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.8% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Springfield is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Springfield is healthier than 30%. Against the 5,528 towns with similar household incomes ($37K–$62K), it’s healthier than 68%. 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 Springfield’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B.
What’s behind Springfield’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Springfield is healthier than 30% of U.S. towns, #125 of 247 in Missouri. Diabetes holds the grade up (fewer adults with diabetes than 65% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 9%).
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). Springfield’s median household income is $49,311; among the 5,528 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($37K–$62K), it’s healthier than 68%, more than its income alone would suggest.
Few Missouri towns score lower on these estimates than towns elsewhere, so within the state Springfield is healthier than 50% of graded towns, against 30% nationally.
At 169,847 residents, Springfield 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.
14.8% of Springfield adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
Out of every 100 Springfield adults…
Springfield runs below MO on 2 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Springfield
2 hospitals and 3 community health centers in Springfield, 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 Springfield; ≈ 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.
38 miles of trails across 52 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Springfield adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
How Springfield adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Springfield runs above Missouri.
1 in 3 Springfield 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.
Springfield and the towns around it
Springfield’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 3 graded towns around it.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | C | 37.7% | 11.1% | 17.1% | CDC place |
| Willard | B | 36% | 9.1% | 15.1% | CDC place |
| Republic | C+ | 37.7% | 10% | 16.9% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Springfield adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Springfield
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Springfield is better than Missouri on 2 and worse on 8; on the rest, the Missouri figure falls inside Springfield’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Springfield | MO | U.S. | vs MO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 22%19.7–24.5 | 20.5% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.2%13.6–16.9 | 14.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20%18–22.2 | 17.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 37.7%31.9–43.9 | 36.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 11.1%9.7–12.6 | 12.1% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 32.7%29.5–36.2 | 36.5% | 34.4% | Better |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34.3%30.9–38 | 37.5% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 27%24.4–29.8 | 28.8% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 11.3%10.1–12.7 | 10.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.6%7–8.3 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.6%5.9–7.2 | 6.8% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 8.5%7.7–9.3 | 8% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.5%3.2–3.7 | 3.6% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 15.4%12.7–18.3 | 15.8% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 17.1%15.1–19.2 | 16% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 28.2%24.5–32.3 | 28.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.6%13.1–18.6 | 16.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 38.7%33.4–44.2 | 36.5% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 10%8.7–11.3 | 8.7% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 76.6%73.2–79.9 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 55.7%52.1–59 | 60.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 79.7%77.6–81.7 | 84.5% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 74.4%71.9–76.8 | 77.2% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 61.1%56.1–65.7 | 64% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 70.3%62.2–77.3 | 74.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 25.7%22.5–29.4 | 24.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 33.5%29–38.3 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 19.7%16.8–22.8 | 20.1% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 17.6%15.5–19.8 | 13.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 14%12.2–15.9 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 10.9%9.6–12.3 | 9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 11%9.8–12.2 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 14.8%13–16.7 | 10.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39.5%35.7–43.7 | 36.2% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 15.8%14.1–17.7 | 15.8% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.8%18.8–22.8 | 17.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.4%7.5–9.3 | 8.3% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 5.9%5.5–6.4 | 5.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11%10–12.1 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.2%3.9–4.6 | 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 Springfield
Is Springfield a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Springfield is healthier than 30% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #125 of 247 in Missouri. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Springfield?
CDC estimates 37.7% of adults have obesity, likely between 31.9% and 43.9%, against 36.6% across Missouri and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Springfield?
Mercy Hospital Springfield in Springfield, 1.7 miles in a straight line from Springfield’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Springfield have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 10% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 8.7–11.3%), 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 Springfield 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 Springfield.
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.