Photo: Ken Gallager at en.wikipedia · Public domainOn CDC estimates, Alton is healthier than 89% of U.S. towns
Alton differs from New Hampshire on 7 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 5 better, 2 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 03809, 03810. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Alton
New Hampshire sets a high bar
Alton is healthier than 89% of U.S. towns, but only 62% of the 126 New Hampshire towns we grade. Health Grade ↓
Cancer runs high in Alton
1 in 8 adults have had cancer (11.9%), vs 9.8% across New Hampshire. Conditions ↓
Fewer Alton adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below New Hampshire. 1 in 13 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 11 adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 New Hampshire figure falls outside Alton’s likely range; Alton’s figures come from ZIP codes 03809, 03810, which may reach past town lines; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B+ to A+.
What’s behind Alton’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Alton is healthier than 89% of U.S. towns, #48 of 126 in New Hampshire. All seven estimates beat the typical U.S. town. The strongest is no exercise (fewer adults who get no exercise than 88% of towns); the weakest is physical distress, still better than 79%.
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). Alton’s median household income is $113,715; among the 6,650 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($85K–$142K), it’s healthier than 82%, about where its income would put it.
Most New Hampshire towns score higher on these estimates than towns elsewhere, so within the state Alton is healthier than 62% of graded towns, against 89% nationally.
Out of every 100 Alton adults…
Alton runs above NH on 2 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.
5.2% of Alton adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 6.5% across New Hampshire.
Care in and near Alton
No hospital or community health center in Alton 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 Alton; ≈ 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 New Hampshire
Share of adults, with the New Hampshire figure marked.
60 miles of trails across 30 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Alton adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New Hampshire.
How Alton adults are doing
About the same as New Hampshire on each measure.
3 in 10 Alton 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.
Alton and the towns around it
Alton’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 8 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.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alton | A | 29.1% | 10.1% | 10.7% | ZIP codes |
| Gilford | A | 29.2% | 10.3% | 10.2% | ZIP 03249 |
| Tuftonboro | A | 29.7% | 10.7% | 9.8% | ZIP codes |
| Wolfeboro | A− | 30.2% | 11.4% | 10% | ZIP codes |
| New Durham | A− | 34.2% | 10.2% | 12% | ZIP 03855 |
| Barnstead | A− | 30.4% | 9.2% | 12.7% | ZIP codes |
| Gilmanton | A | 29.9% | 9.3% | 11% | ZIP codes |
| Farmington | B− | 36.8% | 10.9% | 15.3% | ZIP 03835 |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Alton adults live with a disability (New Hampshire 26.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Alton
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Alton is better than New Hampshire on 5 and worse on 2; on the rest, the New Hampshire figure falls inside Alton’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Alton | NH | U.S. | vs NH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 14.4%12.3–16.7 | 14.5% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 12.2%10.6–13.9 | 11.7% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.2%12.5–16 | 15.3% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 29.1%24.2–34.1 | 31.8% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 10.1%8.7–11.6 | 9.4% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 35.4%31.9–38.9 | 33% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.1%33.6–40.8 | 35.2% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 31.5%28.5–34.7 | 27.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.1%9–11.4 | 10.5% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 11.9%10.9–13 | 9.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.8%6–7.7 | 6% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 6.8%5.8–7.9 | 6.2% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.4%3–3.8 | 3.1% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 10.7%8.8–13 | 8.9% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 10.7%8.8–12.9 | 10.8% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 18.9%15.7–22.2 | 20.7% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.4%13–18.2 | 15.7% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 33.3%28.6–38.2 | 32.9% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 5.6%4.5–6.9 | 6.8% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.9%75.8–81.9 | 77.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 68.4%65.1–71.5 | 68.8% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 90.4%89–91.9 | 88.3% | 87.1% | Better |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.4%75.3–81.3 | 76.8% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 68.8%64.3–72.9 | 69.5% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.7%67.9–80.5 | 78.8% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22.2%19.3–25.5 | 22.7% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 29.2%25.4–33.1 | 30.6% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 19.6%16.8–22.8 | 21.6% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 7.5%6–9.3 | 9.5% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 6.5%5.4–7.9 | 8.1% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 4.3%3.6–5.1 | 5.4% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 4.7%4–5.5 | 5.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 5.2%4–6.4 | 6.5% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 26.5%23.1–30 | 26.1% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 11.9%10.2–13.8 | 11.3% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 11.1%9.6–12.8 | 12% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.8%6.9–8.8 | 7.2% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 3.5%3.1–4 | 3.8% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 6.2%5.4–7 | 6.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 2.9%2.5–3.3 | 2.9% | 3.8% | About the same |
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 New Hampshire figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Alton
Is Alton a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Alton is healthier than 89% of U.S. towns: A for health, #48 of 126 in New Hampshire. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 82%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Alton?
CDC estimates 29.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 24.2% and 34.1%, against 31.8% across New Hampshire and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Alton?
Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro, 6.7 miles in a straight line from Alton’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Alton have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 5.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 4.5–6.9%), against 6.8% across New Hampshire.
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 Alton more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B+ to A+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Alton.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The New Hampshire 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.