Photo: TownofPembrokeNC · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Pembroke is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
Pembroke differs from North Carolina on 26 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 24 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Pembroke. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Pembroke
Dental care lags in Pembroke
46.1% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.6% across North Carolina. Among those 65 and older, 35.2% have lost all their teeth (North Carolina 13.9%). Checkups ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Pembroke
1 in 5 adults lack reliable transportation (21.1%), more than twice the North Carolina rate. Food insecurity (34.1% vs 15.2%) and utility shut-off threats (18.9% vs 8.1%) are higher too. 33.9% of adults receive SNAP, vs 12.3% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Pembroke is in the bottom 2% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Pembroke is healthier than only 2% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
More Pembroke adults live with a disability
44.7% of adults live with a disability, vs 32% across North Carolina. The biggest difference is vision loss: 12% vs 5.3%. Disability ↓
Pembroke is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Pembroke is healthier than 2%. Against the 263 towns with similar household incomes ($19K–$32K), it’s healthier than 43%. 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 North Carolina figure falls outside Pembroke’s likely range.
What’s behind Pembroke’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Pembroke is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns, #285 of 289 in North Carolina. All seven of Pembroke’s estimates fall in the lowest 10% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is mental distress: 23.6% of adults, against 16.5% across North Carolina and 15.9% nationally.
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). Pembroke’s median household income is $25,889; among the 263 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($19K–$32K), it’s healthier than 43%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Pembroke compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.8% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 12.1% (U.S. 15.4%).
Keeping up with care
Share of Pembroke adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
33.9% of Pembroke adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Pembroke adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Out of every 100 Pembroke adults…
Pembroke runs below NC on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 8. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 12% of Pembroke residents are 65 or older, vs 17% across North Carolina. Cancer run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Pembroke
1 community health center in Pembroke, 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 Pembroke; ≈ 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.
0.3 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
How Pembroke adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Pembroke runs above North Carolina.
1 in 3 Pembroke 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.
Pembroke and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pembroke | D− | 47.5% | 17.1% | 23.1% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Every CDC estimate for Pembroke
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Pembroke is better than North Carolina on 2 and worse on 24; on the rest, the North Carolina figure falls inside Pembroke’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Pembroke | NC | U.S. | vs NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 31.4%28–35 | 19% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.4%16.3–20.6 | 12.7% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 23.6%20.9–26.1 | 16.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 47.5%42–52.8 | 35.1% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 17.1%15.3–19.2 | 12% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 40.6%37.3–43.9 | 36.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34.3%31–37.6 | 35.6% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 29.3%26.6–31.9 | 26.9% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 14.8%13.1–16.6 | 10.8% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.8%5.2–6.4 | 7.9% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.6%7.8–9.6 | 6.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 11%9.7–12.5 | 7.1% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.5%5–6 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 35.2%30.1–40.6 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 23.1%19.9–26.2 | 13.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 34.3%29.8–38.6 | 23.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.1%9.9–14.4 | 14.7% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 40.6%35.5–45.9 | 34.2% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 14%11.4–17 | 10.4% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 80.1%77–83.1 | 80% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 46.1%42.4–50 | 63.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 79.6%77–82.4 | 87.5% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 73.8%71.4–76.2 | 76.7% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 58.9%54.4–63.8 | 65.7% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 70.9%63.4–78.2 | 78.7% | 76.4% | Worse |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.5%23.1–30.1 | 24.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 35.2%30.9–39.7 | 32.5% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 25.1%21.7–28.8 | 22.5% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 34.1%29.8–38.6 | 15.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 23.5%20.4–26.7 | 12.2% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 18.9%16.5–21.3 | 8.1% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 21.1%18.5–23.7 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 33.9%29.4–38.4 | 12.3% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 44.7%40.4–49 | 32% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21.7%19.4–24.1 | 14.2% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 24.3%21.5–27.2 | 14.8% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.8%9.6–12 | 7.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 12%10.8–13.4 | 5.3% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 16.1%14.2–18.1 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7.2%6.5–8 | 4% | 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 North Carolina figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Pembroke
Is Pembroke a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Pembroke is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #285 of 289 in North Carolina. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 43%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Pembroke?
CDC estimates 47.5% of adults have obesity, likely between 42% and 52.8%, against 35.1% across North Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Pembroke?
Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton, 10.4 miles in a straight line from Pembroke’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Pembroke have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 14% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.4–17%), 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 Pembroke 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 Pembroke.
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.