Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0Where Forked River residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Forked River, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Forked River. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Forked River
COPD and arthritis run high in Forked River
1 in 15 adults have COPD (6.5%), vs 5.1% across New Jersey. 3 in 10 adults have arthritis (28.1%), vs 22.2% across New Jersey. In all, Forked River runs above New Jersey on three of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 25% of residents are 65 or older (New Jersey 17%), and COPD and arthritis are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Forked River
1 in 7 adults smoke cigarettes (14.4%), vs 10.9% across New Jersey. Habits ↓
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 Jersey figure falls outside Forked River’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Forked River adults…
Forked River runs above NJ on 3 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Forked River is an older town: 25% of residents are 65 or older, vs 17% across New Jersey. COPD, arthritis and cancer rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Forked River as about how healthy they are.
Everyday habits, side by side with New Jersey
Share of adults, with the New Jersey figure marked.
0.4 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
Care in and near Forked River
No hospital or community health center in Forked River 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 Forked River; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Keeping up with care
Share of Forked River adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New Jersey.
How Forked River adults are doing
About the same as New Jersey on each measure.
3 in 10 Forked River 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.
7.1% of Forked River adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 8.4% across New Jersey.
Forked River and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacey Township | A− | 28.9% | 9.9% | 13.3% | ZIP codes |
| Ocean Township | A− | 28% | 12% | 11.6% | ZIP codes |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Forked River adults live with a disability (New Jersey 24.8%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Questions about health in Forked River
Why doesn’t Forked River have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Forked River.
What hospital is closest to Forked River?
Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, 9.1 miles in a straight line from Forked River’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Forked River?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Ohi - Toms River in Toms River, 9.4 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Forked River.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The New Jersey figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. 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.