Where Preakness residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Preakness, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Preakness. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Preakness
Preakness keeps up with checkups
It beats New Jersey on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including dentist visits (74.3% vs 65.9%) and cholesterol checks (91.5% vs 89.1%). Checkups ↓
Cancer runs high in Preakness
1 in 10 adults have had cancer (9.8%), vs 7.5% across New Jersey. Conditions ↓
Fewer Preakness adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below New Jersey. 1 in 11 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 7 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 Jersey figure falls outside Preakness’ likely range.
Keeping up with care
Share of Preakness adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New Jersey.
Out of every 100 Preakness adults…
Preakness runs below NJ on 3 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. 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.
4.1% of Preakness adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 8.4% across New Jersey.
Care in and near Preakness
No hospital or community health center in Preakness 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 Preakness; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Everyday habits, side by side with New Jersey
Share of adults, with the New Jersey figure marked.
0.8 miles of trails across 11 parks and preserves
How Preakness adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Preakness does better than New Jersey.
1 in 3 Preakness 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.
Preakness 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Paterson University of New Jersey | — | — | — | — | |
| Packanack Lake | — | — | — | — | |
| Wayne Township | A+ | 24.1% | 8.9% | 8.1% | ZIP 07470 |
| Haledon | B | 31.1% | 11.8% | 11.8% | CDC place |
| Totowa | A− | 26.5% | 10% | 10.2% | CDC place |
William Paterson University of New Jersey and Packanack Lake: Census-designated places inside larger towns, graded as part of them. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Preakness adults live with a disability (New Jersey 24.8%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Preakness
Why doesn’t Preakness have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Preakness.
What hospital is closest to Preakness?
Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, 4.7 miles in a straight line from Preakness’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Preakness?
4 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Paterson Community Health Center in Paterson, 2.9 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Preakness.
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.