Rockingham County Courthouse · Public domainAmong U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Rockingham is healthier than 48%
Rockingham trails North Carolina on 19 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Rockingham. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Rockingham
COPD, stroke and diabetes run high in Rockingham
1 in 9 adults have COPD (10.9%), vs 7.1% across North Carolina. 1 in 19 adults have had a stroke (5.4%), vs 3.6% across North Carolina. Diabetes is also above the state: 16.6%, vs 12% across North Carolina. In all, Rockingham runs above North Carolina on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Rockingham
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (26.1%), vs 15.2% across North Carolina. Utility shut-off threats (14.9% vs 8.1%) and no reliable transportation (13.8% vs 8.4%) are higher too. 26.1% of adults receive SNAP, vs 12.3% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Rockingham is in the bottom 8% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Rockingham is healthier than only 8% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on five of the seven. Health Grade ↓
Rockingham is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Rockingham is healthier than 8%. Against the 1,675 towns with similar household incomes ($28K–$47K), it’s healthier than 48%. 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 Rockingham’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
What’s behind Rockingham’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Rockingham is healthier than 8% of U.S. towns, #266 of 289 in North Carolina. Physical distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than 17% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 7%).
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). Rockingham’s median household income is $37,224; among the 1,675 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($28K–$47K), it’s healthier than 48%, about where its income would put it.
Out of every 100 Rockingham adults…
Rockingham runs above NC on 8 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.
26.1% of Rockingham adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
Care in and near Rockingham
No hospital or community health center in Rockingham 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 Rockingham; ≈ 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.
0.5 miles of trails across 5 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Rockingham adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
How Rockingham adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Rockingham runs above North Carolina.
1 in 3 Rockingham 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.
Rockingham and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockingham | D | 43.2% | 16.6% | 19.3% | CDC place |
| East Rockingham | D− | 46.7% | 19.2% | 26.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Rockingham adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Rockingham
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Rockingham is better than North Carolina on 0 and worse on 19; on the rest, the North Carolina figure falls inside Rockingham’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Rockingham | NC | U.S. | vs NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 27.2%24.1–30.5 | 19% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 16.5%14.5–18.5 | 12.7% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.3%17.1–21.6 | 16.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 43.2%34.6–52 | 35.1% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 16.6%14.5–18.8 | 12% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 44.3%39.9–48.7 | 36.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.5%33–42 | 35.6% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 32.5%29–36 | 26.9% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.5%11–14.1 | 10.8% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.2%7.4–9 | 7.9% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.8%7.9–9.8 | 6.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.9%9.8–12.3 | 7.1% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.4%5–5.9 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 21.5%17.9–25.2 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 19.3%16.8–22 | 13.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 32.3%27.5–37.3 | 23.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.2%9.9–14.9 | 14.7% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 37.4%30.6–44 | 34.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 12.6%10.8–14.5 | 10.4% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 81.6%78.3–84.8 | 80% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 55.4%51.5–59.2 | 63.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 86.2%84.3–88 | 87.5% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79%76.3–81.6 | 76.7% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 64.1%58.7–68.9 | 65.7% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 76.3%68.4–82.6 | 78.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.1%22.4–30.2 | 24.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 34.3%27.9–40.7 | 32.5% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 24.9%20.6–29.4 | 22.5% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 26.1%22.6–29.6 | 15.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 19.3%16.6–22 | 12.2% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 14.9%12.9–17 | 8.1% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 13.8%12.1–15.5 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 26.1%23–29.4 | 12.3% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 40.8%36.2–45.6 | 32% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21.1%18.7–23.6 | 14.2% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19%16.9–21.3 | 14.8% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 9.1%8.1–10.2 | 7.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 8.8%8.1–9.7 | 5.3% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 12.6%11.3–14.1 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.8%6.2–7.5 | 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 Rockingham
Is Rockingham a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Rockingham is healthier than 8% of U.S. towns: D for health, #266 of 289 in North Carolina. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Rockingham?
CDC estimates 43.2% of adults have obesity, likely between 34.6% and 52%, against 35.1% across North Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Rockingham?
Mcleod Health Cheraw in Cheraw, 19.0 miles in a straight line from Rockingham’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Rockingham have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 12.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10.8–14.5%), 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 Rockingham 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 Rockingham.
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.