Elliott-Donaldson House · Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Okolona is healthier than 47%
Okolona differs from Mississippi on 18 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 16 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Okolona. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Okolona
Okolona is in the bottom 3% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Okolona is healthier than only 3% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
Stroke, diabetes and COPD run high in Okolona
1 in 15 adults have had a stroke (6.7%), vs 4.5% across Mississippi. 1 in 5 adults have diabetes (22%), vs 15.5% across Mississippi. COPD is also above the state: 11.3%, vs 8.6% across Mississippi. In all, Okolona runs above Mississippi on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Okolona
36.3% of adults worry about having enough food, vs 22.4% across Mississippi. Utility shut-off threats (18.8% vs 11.2%) and housing insecurity (26.6% vs 16.8%) are higher too. 26.2% of adults receive SNAP, vs 13.6% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
More high blood pressure in Okolona, and more people treating it
53% of adults have high blood pressure (Mississippi 44.9%), but 82.5% of them take medicine for it, vs 79.7% statewide. Checkups ↓
Okolona is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Okolona is healthier than 3%. Against the 270 towns with similar household incomes ($20K–$33K), it’s healthier than 47%. 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 Mississippi figure falls outside Okolona’s likely range.
What’s behind Okolona’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Okolona is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 20% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (near the bottom of U.S. towns).
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). Okolona’s median household income is $26,042; among the 270 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($20K–$33K), it’s healthier than 47%, about where its income would put it.
Where Okolona compares well: binge drinking, 9.7% (U.S. 15.4%); taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 82.5% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Okolona adults…
Okolona runs above MS on 7 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.
26.2% of Okolona adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.6% across Mississippi.
Keeping up with care
Share of Okolona adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Mississippi.
Care in and near Okolona
No hospital or community health center in Okolona 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 Okolona; ≈ 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.
1.5 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Okolona adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Okolona runs above Mississippi.
2 in 5 Okolona 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.
Okolona and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okolona | D− | 47.7% | 22% | 20.8% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Okolona adults live with a disability (Mississippi 38.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Okolona
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Okolona is better than Mississippi on 2 and worse on 16; on the rest, the Mississippi figure falls inside Okolona’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Okolona | MS | U.S. | vs MS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 33.8%29.5–38.2 | 24.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18%15.7–20.4 | 14.8% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.9%16.6–21.3 | 17.3% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 47.7%38.9–56.1 | 40.4% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 22%19.3–24.7 | 15.5% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 53%48.3–57.4 | 44.9% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 41.3%36.5–45.8 | 38.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 34.5%30.8–38.2 | 29.9% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.4%10–12.9 | 10% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.8%6–7.6 | 7.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.2%8.1–10.4 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 11.3%9.7–12.9 | 8.6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.7%6–7.5 | 4.5% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 30.2%25.3–35.6 | 18.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 20.8%17.6–24.1 | 16.9% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 44%38.1–49.9 | 34% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 9.7%7.7–12 | 13.6% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.7%36.3–51.1 | 38.4% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 14.3%11.5–17.5 | 11.5% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 83.9%80.7–86.8 | 81.5% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 86.3%83.9–88.5 | 86.2% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 82.5%80.1–84.7 | 79.7% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 61.7%56.2–67.2 | 61.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 73.6%65.3–81.1 | 74% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 17.7%14.6–20.9 | 19.5% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 39.7%34.3–45.2 | 36.4% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 35%30.6–39.7 | 28.9% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 36.3%31.5–41.2 | 22.4% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 26.6%23.1–30.2 | 16.8% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 18.8%16.4–21.4 | 11.2% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 18.5%16.1–21.2 | 11.9% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 26.2%22.2–30.6 | 13.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 47.1%41.7–52.4 | 38.1% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 27.3%24–30.7 | 18.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.8%18–23.7 | 17.5% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.6%7.5–9.7 | 8.1% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 11%9.6–12.4 | 7% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 14.5%12.6–16.5 | 10.4% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.3%7.3–9.4 | 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 Okolona
Is Okolona a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Okolona is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns: D− for health. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Okolona?
CDC estimates 47.7% of adults have obesity, likely between 38.9% and 56.1%, against 40.4% across Mississippi and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Okolona?
North Mississippi Medical Center-Gilmore Amory in Amory, 15.6 miles in a straight line from Okolona’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Okolona have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 14.3% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.5–17.5%), 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 Okolona 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 Okolona.
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.