Photo: Property of PLCMC · CC BY-SA 2.0On CDC estimates, Matthews is healthier than 95% of U.S. towns
Matthews differs from North Carolina on 20 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 19 better, 1 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Matthews. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Matthews
Matthews has a five-star hospital
Novant Health Matthews Medical Center is rated 5 of 5 stars by Medicare and has an emergency room. Getting care ↓
Matthews is an active town
Only 17.9% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 23.8% across North Carolina. Habits ↓
Obesity and COPD are less common in Matthews
Matthews runs below North Carolina on four chronic conditions, most of all obesity (25.5% vs 35.1%), COPD (5.2% vs 7.1%) and diabetes (9.4% vs 12%). Conditions ↓
Cancer runs high in Matthews
1 in 10 adults have had cancer (9.7%), vs 7.9% across North Carolina. Conditions ↓
Matthews is the healthiest of the towns around it
Its A+ tops all three graded neighbors. The closest is Stallings (A). Around town ↓
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 North Carolina figure falls outside Matthews’ likely range.
What’s behind Matthews’ grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Matthews is healthier than 95% of U.S. towns, #16 of 289 in North Carolina. All seven estimates beat the typical U.S. town. The strongest is obesity (fewer adults with obesity than 95% of towns); the weakest is diabetes, still better than 87%.
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). Matthews’ median household income is $108,611; among the 7,345 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($81K–$136K), it’s healthier than 97%, about where its income would put it.
Care in and near Matthews
1 hospital in Matthews, 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 Matthews; ≈ 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 North Carolina
Share of adults, with the North Carolina figure marked.
4.1 miles of trails across 15 parks and preserves
Out of every 100 Matthews adults…
Matthews runs below NC on 7 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. Tap one to see it as people.
Matthews and the towns around it
Matthews has the best Health Grade of the 4 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.
Keeping up with care
Share of Matthews adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
How Matthews adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Matthews does better than North Carolina.
3 in 10 Matthews 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.
5.7% of Matthews adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Matthews adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Matthews
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Matthews is better than North Carolina on 19 and worse on 1; on the rest, the North Carolina figure falls inside Matthews’ likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Matthews | NC | U.S. | vs NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 13.1%11.4–15.1 | 19% | 19.4% | Better |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 10.4%9.1–11.8 | 12.7% | 13% | Better |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.6%12–15.3 | 16.5% | 15.9% | Better |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 25.5%20.9–30.2 | 35.1% | 32.9% | Better |
| Diabetes | 9.4%8.1–10.9 | 12% | 12% | Better |
| High blood pressure | 32%28.4–35.5 | 36.8% | 34.4% | Better |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 35.8%31.8–39.6 | 35.6% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 26.1%23.1–29.1 | 26.9% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 9.8%8.6–11 | 10.8% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.7%8.7–10.7 | 7.9% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.7%5.1–6.4 | 6.6% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 5.2%4.5–5.9 | 7.1% | 6.3% | Better |
| Stroke | 3%2.7–3.2 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 9.1%7.2–11.1 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 8.9%7.6–10.3 | 13.5% | 11.8% | Better |
| No exercise outside work | 17.9%15.1–21 | 23.8% | 24.7% | Better |
| Binge drinking | 15.1%12.5–17.8 | 14.7% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 33.2%28.7–37.7 | 34.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 7.4%6.3–8.6 | 10.4% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 80.4%77.2–83.3 | 80% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 71%67.9–73.9 | 63.6% | 63.2% | Better |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 90.4%89–91.7 | 87.5% | 87.1% | Better |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 77.9%74.7–80.8 | 76.7% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 69.3%64.9–73.4 | 65.7% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 80.3%73.8–85.7 | 78.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22.5%19.3–25.8 | 24.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 29.3%25.2–34 | 32.5% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 19.8%17–23.2 | 22.5% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 8.5%7.2–10 | 15.2% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 7.5%6.4–8.8 | 12.2% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 4.8%4.1–5.6 | 8.1% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 5.1%4.5–5.8 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 5.7%4.8–6.8 | 12.3% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 26.3%23–29.8 | 32% | 30.1% | Lower |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 10.9%9.5–12.5 | 14.2% | 13.6% | Lower |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 11.1%9.8–12.5 | 14.8% | 13.9% | Lower |
| Hearing difficulty | 7%6.1–7.8 | 7.3% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 3.6%3.3–4 | 5.3% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 5.8%5.2–6.6 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Lower |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 2.7%2.4–3 | 4% | 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 North Carolina figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Matthews
Is Matthews a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Matthews is healthier than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for health, #16 of 289 in North Carolina. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 97%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Matthews?
CDC estimates 25.5% of adults have obesity, likely between 20.9% and 30.2%, against 35.1% across North Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Matthews?
Novant Health Matthews Medical Center in Matthews, 0.0 miles in a straight line from Matthews’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
How many people in Matthews have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 7.4% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 6.3–8.6%), against 10.4% across North Carolina.
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 Matthews more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from A− to A+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Matthews.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The North Carolina 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.