Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, West Marion is healthier than 82%
West Marion differs from North Carolina on 13 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 12 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for West Marion. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in West Marion
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in West Marion
1 in 9 adults have COPD (10.9%), vs 7.1% across North Carolina. 1 in 11 adults have heart disease (9.5%), vs 6.6% across North Carolina. Stroke is also above the state: 5%, vs 3.6% across North Carolina. In all, West Marion runs above North Carolina on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in West Marion
55.3% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.6% across North Carolina. Among those 65 and older, 21.2% have lost all their teeth (North Carolina 13.9%). Checkups ↓
Smoking is more common in West Marion
1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (17.7%), vs 13.5% across North Carolina. Habits ↓
West Marion is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, West Marion is healthier than 23%. Against the 1,568 towns with similar household incomes ($28K–$46K), it’s healthier than 82%. 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 West Marion’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to B.
What’s behind West Marion’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, West Marion is healthier than 23% of U.S. towns. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 46% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 19%).
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). West Marion’s median household income is $36,715; among the 1,568 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($28K–$46K), it’s healthier than 82%, more than its income alone would suggest.
Where West Marion compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 79.7% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 West Marion adults…
West Marion runs above NC on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of West Marion adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
Everyday habits, side by side with North Carolina
Share of adults, with the North Carolina figure marked.
0 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Care in and near West Marion
No hospital or community health center in West Marion 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 West Marion; ≈ 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).
How West Marion adults are doing
About the same as North Carolina on each measure.
1 in 3 West Marion 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.
16.1% of West Marion adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
West Marion and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Marion | C− | 36.7% | 14.5% | 17.7% | CDC place |
| Marion | C | 37.1% | 13% | 18.1% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of West Marion adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for West Marion
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, West Marion is better than North Carolina on 1 and worse on 12; on the rest, the North Carolina figure falls inside West Marion’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | West Marion | NC | U.S. | vs NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 23.7%19.9–28.1 | 19% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 16%13.7–18.7 | 12.7% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18%15.7–20.6 | 16.5% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 36.7%28.6–45.7 | 35.1% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 14.5%12.4–17 | 12% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 42.1%37.6–46.9 | 36.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 40.2%35.6–45.3 | 35.6% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 33.9%30.2–38 | 26.9% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.2%9.9–12.9 | 10.8% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 10.1%9–11.2 | 7.9% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.5%8.3–10.9 | 6.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.9%9–12.9 | 7.1% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5%4.3–5.7 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 21.2%17.5–25.5 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 17.7%14.5–21.6 | 13.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 28.6%23.3–34.7 | 23.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 13.7%11.1–16.6 | 14.7% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 35.5%28.9–42.6 | 34.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.2%8.8–14.2 | 10.4% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 80.8%77.4–83.9 | 80% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 55.3%51.2–59.3 | 63.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 86.6%84.3–88.6 | 87.5% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.7%77–82.3 | 76.7% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 66.7%61.8–71.2 | 65.7% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 73.8%65.3–81 | 78.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.9%22.9–31.5 | 24.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 32%26.5–37.5 | 32.5% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 20.9%17.3–24.7 | 22.5% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 17.3%13.9–21.3 | 15.2% | 15% | About the same |
| Worried about keeping housing | 12.2%10–14.6 | 12.2% | 12% | About the same |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 8.9%7.5–10.5 | 8.1% | 7.6% | About the same |
| Lack reliable transportation | 9.4%7.9–11 | 8.4% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 16.1%12.7–19.9 | 12.3% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39.2%34.1–45 | 32% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 19.5%16.4–22.9 | 14.2% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.5%14.9–20.4 | 14.8% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.7%9.3–12.2 | 7.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 7%6–8.2 | 5.3% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11%9.3–12.9 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.5%4.7–6.4 | 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 West Marion
Is West Marion a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, West Marion is healthier than 23% of U.S. towns: ≈ C− 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 West Marion?
CDC estimates 36.7% of adults have obesity, likely between 28.6% and 45.7%, against 35.1% across North Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to West Marion?
The Mcdowell Hospital in Marion, 0.9 miles in a straight line from West Marion’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in West Marion have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 8.8–14.2%), 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 West Marion more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to B.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in West Marion.
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.