Beverly Theater · Photo: Gavreh · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, University City is healthier than 77% of U.S. towns
University City beats Missouri on 16 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and trails on none.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for University City. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in University City
University City keeps up with checkups
It beats Missouri on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including dentist visits (65.3% vs 60.4%) and colon screening (71.3% vs 64%). Checkups ↓
Health varies a lot right around University City
Grades next door run from Ladue (A+) to Wellston (D−). University City is an A−. Around town ↓
COPD and heart disease are less common in University City
University City runs below Missouri on four chronic conditions, most of all COPD (5.5% vs 8%), heart disease (5.5% vs 6.8%) and obesity (31% vs 36.6%). Conditions ↓
Few University City adults smoke
11% of adults smoke cigarettes, vs 16% across Missouri. Habits ↓
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 University City’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B to A.
What’s behind University City’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, University City is healthier than 77% of U.S. towns, #42 of 247 in Missouri. All seven estimates beat the typical U.S. town. The strongest is physical distress (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than 87% of towns); the weakest is no exercise, still better than 59%.
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). University City’s median household income is $80,694; among the 10,711 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($61K–$101K), it’s healthier than 87%, about where its income would put it.
Keeping up with care
Share of University City adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
University City and the towns around it
University City’s Health Grade ranks 4th of 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University City | A− | 31% | 11.3% | 11% | CDC place |
| Pagedale | D− | 46% | 21.7% | 22.6% | CDC place |
| Clayton | A+ | 23.9% | 6.9% | 8.2% | CDC place |
| Vinita Park | D− | 42.9% | 18.3% | 22.8% | CDC place |
| Ladue | A+ | 24.7% | 8.6% | 7.1% | CDC place |
| Wellston | D− | 48.8% | 22.2% | 27.3% | CDC place |
| Olivette | A | 28% | 10.6% | 9.9% | CDC place |
| Overland | C− | 35.6% | 13.2% | 19.1% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Out of every 100 University City adults…
University City runs below MO on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Missouri
Share of adults, with the Missouri figure marked.
2.1 miles of trails across 15 parks and preserves
Care in and near University City
No hospital or community health center in University City 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 University City; ≈ 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 University City adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, University City does better than Missouri.
1 in 3 University City 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.
10.3% of University City adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of University City adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for University City
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, University City is better than Missouri on 16 and worse on 0; on the rest, the Missouri figure falls inside University City’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | University City | MO | U.S. | vs MO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 17.1%15.3–19 | 20.5% | 19.4% | Better |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 11.4%10.2–12.7 | 14.2% | 13% | Better |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.6%14.1–17.3 | 17.5% | 15.9% | Better |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 31%27.4–34.7 | 36.6% | 32.9% | Better |
| Diabetes | 11.3%10.1–12.7 | 12.1% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 35.7%33.1–38.4 | 36.5% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34.1%31.3–36.9 | 37.5% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 25.5%23.3–27.7 | 28.8% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 10.7%9.6–11.9 | 10.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.3%6.6–7.9 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.5%5–6.1 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 5.5%4.9–6.2 | 8% | 6.3% | Better |
| Stroke | 3.4%3.1–3.7 | 3.6% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 12.1%9.8–14.6 | 15.8% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 11%9.7–12.5 | 16% | 11.8% | Better |
| No exercise outside work | 24.3%21.8–27.2 | 28.8% | 24.7% | Better |
| Binge drinking | 15.9%13.7–18.2 | 16.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 33.4%29.5–37.5 | 36.5% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 6.5%5.6–7.5 | 8.7% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.4%76.9–81.9 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 65.3%62–68.3 | 60.4% | 63.2% | Better |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85.7%84.1–87.3 | 84.5% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.8%76.7–80.8 | 77.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 71.3%67.1–75.1 | 64% | 65.5% | Better |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 81%75–85.9 | 74.7% | 76.4% | Better |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 21.7%19.3–24.3 | 24.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 33.7%30.6–37.2 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 20.5%18.2–23.1 | 20.1% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 12.9%11.4–14.7 | 13.7% | 15% | About the same |
| Worried about keeping housing | 12.1%10.7–13.7 | 12.1% | 12% | About the same |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 9.3%8.2–10.5 | 9% | 7.6% | About the same |
| Lack reliable transportation | 8.3%7.4–9.3 | 8.4% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 10.3%9–11.7 | 10.8% | 11.6% | About the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 31.7%29–34.7 | 36.2% | 30.1% | Lower |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 13.2%11.8–14.7 | 15.8% | 13.6% | Lower |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 14.2%12.8–15.7 | 17.2% | 13.9% | Lower |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.2%5.6–6.9 | 8.3% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 4.7%4.3–5.1 | 5.1% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 7.9%7.1–8.8 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Lower |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 3.4%3.1–3.7 | 3.9% | 3.8% | Lower |
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 University City
Is University City a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, University City is healthier than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for health, #42 of 247 in Missouri. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 87%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in University City?
CDC estimates 31% of adults have obesity, likely between 27.4% and 34.7%, against 36.6% across Missouri and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to University City?
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis in Saint Louis, 2.5 miles in a straight line from University City’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in University City have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 6.5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 5.6–7.5%), 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 University City more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B to A.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in University City.
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.