Photo: Dudemanfellabra · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Meridian is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
Meridian differs from Mississippi on 18 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 16 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Meridian. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Meridian
Meridian is in the bottom 3% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Meridian is healthier than only 3% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Meridian
36.5% of adults worry about having enough food, vs 22.4% across Mississippi. Utility shut-off threats (20.1% vs 11.2%) and no reliable transportation (19.7% vs 11.9%) are higher too. 28.9% of adults receive SNAP, vs 13.6% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Meridian is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Meridian is healthier than 3%. Against the 1,535 towns with similar household incomes ($27K–$46K), it’s healthier than 20%. Health Grade ↓
Stroke, COPD and diabetes run high in Meridian
1 in 16 adults have had a stroke (6.3%), vs 4.5% across Mississippi. 1 in 9 adults have COPD (11.4%), vs 8.6% across Mississippi. Diabetes is also above the state: 19.7%, vs 15.5% across Mississippi. In all, Meridian runs above Mississippi on four of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Meridian has three hospitals within its borders
3 hospitals and 1 community health center are inside Meridian. Getting care ↓
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 Mississippi figure falls outside Meridian’s likely range.
What’s behind Meridian’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Meridian is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns, #90 of 101 in Mississippi. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 15% of U.S. towns); no exercise pulls it down (better than 2%).
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). Meridian’s median household income is $36,562; among the 1,535 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($27K–$46K), it’s healthier than 20%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Meridian compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.8% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 11% (U.S. 15.4%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
28.9% of Meridian adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.6% across Mississippi.
Out of every 100 Meridian adults…
Meridian runs below MS on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 6. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Meridian
3 hospitals and 1 community health center in Meridian, 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 Meridian; ≈ 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 Mississippi
Share of adults, with the Mississippi figure marked.
8.1 miles of trails across 9 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Meridian adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Mississippi.
How Meridian adults are doing
About the same as Mississippi on each measure.
2 in 5 Meridian 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.
Meridian and the towns around it
Meridian’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 3 graded towns around it.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian | D− | 46.2% | 19.7% | 22% | CDC place |
| Marion | C | 40.1% | 14.9% | 14.8% | CDC place |
| Nellieburg | C− | 38% | 17.1% | 16.5% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Meridian adults live with a disability (Mississippi 38.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Meridian
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Meridian is better than Mississippi on 2 and worse on 16; on the rest, the Mississippi figure falls inside Meridian’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Meridian | MS | U.S. | vs MS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 32.2%29.2–35.4 | 24.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.7%15.8–19.8 | 14.8% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.3%17.2–21.6 | 17.3% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 46.2%39.7–52.9 | 40.4% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 19.7%17.6–22.1 | 15.5% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 50.6%46.5–54.6 | 44.9% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.2%34.2–42.3 | 38.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 32.7%29.4–36.1 | 29.9% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 11.3%10–12.8 | 10% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.8%6.2–7.5 | 7.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.9%8.1–9.8 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 11.4%10.3–12.6 | 8.6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.3%5.9–6.7 | 4.5% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 30%26–34.4 | 18.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 22%19.5–24.7 | 16.9% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 41.2%36.7–46.1 | 34% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11%8.9–13.3 | 13.6% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 44.6%39–50.5 | 38.4% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 14.9%13–17.1 | 11.5% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 82.9%79.9–85.7 | 81.5% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85.2%83.3–87 | 86.2% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 81.4%79–83.6 | 79.7% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 60.7%55.8–65.4 | 61.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.3%67–80.8 | 74% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 18.7%15.8–21.8 | 19.5% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 38.2%33.2–43.5 | 36.4% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 32.5%28.4–36.8 | 28.9% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 36.5%33.3–39.7 | 22.4% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 26.9%24.1–29.8 | 16.8% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 20.1%17.9–22.3 | 11.2% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 19.7%17.8–21.7 | 11.9% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 28.9%26.1–31.6 | 13.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 44.4%40.2–48.9 | 38.1% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 25.1%22.7–27.7 | 18.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 21.2%19.2–23.4 | 17.5% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.5%7.6–9.5 | 8.1% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 11.6%10.7–12.5 | 7% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 15%13.7–16.5 | 10.4% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.9%8.2–9.6 | 5.3% | 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 Mississippi figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Meridian
Is Meridian a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Meridian is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #90 of 101 in Mississippi. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 20%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Meridian?
CDC estimates 46.2% of adults have obesity, likely between 39.7% and 52.9%, against 40.4% across Mississippi and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Meridian?
Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, 1.1 miles in a straight line from Meridian’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Meridian have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 14.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 13–17.1%), against 11.5% across Mississippi.
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 Meridian 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 Meridian.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Mississippi 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.