On CDC estimates, Central Square is healthier than 44% of U.S. towns
Central Square differs from New York on 14 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 10 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Central Square. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Central Square
COPD, cancer and arthritis run high in Central Square
1 in 11 adults have COPD (8.9%), vs 6% across New York. 1 in 9 adults have had cancer (10.7%), vs 7.7% across New York. Arthritis is also above the state: 31.8%, vs 24% across New York. In all, Central Square runs above New York on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Central Square
1 in 7 adults smoke cigarettes (14.9%), vs 11.3% across New York. Habits ↓
Central Square has a community health center but no hospital
Northern Oswego County Health Services is in town and charges on a sliding scale by income. The nearest ER is Oswego Hospital in Oswego, 12.4 miles away. Getting care ↓
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 York figure falls outside Central Square’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to A−.
What’s behind Central Square’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Central Square is healthier than 44% of U.S. towns. Fair or poor health holds the grade up (fewer adults who rate their health fair or poor than 53% of U.S. towns); no exercise pulls it down (better than 30%).
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). Central Square’s median household income is $69,500; among the 10,484 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($52K–$87K), it’s healthier than 54%, about where its income would put it.
Where Central Square compares well: no health insurance (ages 18–64), 5.7% (U.S. 11%).
Out of every 100 Central Square adults…
Central Square runs above NY on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with New York
Share of adults, with the New York figure marked.
0.1 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Care in and near Central Square
1 community health center in Central Square, plus the nearest just outside it.
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 Central Square; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Central Square adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New York.
How Central Square adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Central Square runs above New York.
1 in 3 Central Square 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.
13.5% of Central Square adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.1% across New York.
Central Square and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Square | C+ | 36.6% | 12.1% | 14.9% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Central Square adults live with a disability (New York 27.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Central Square
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Central Square is better than New York on 4 and worse on 10; on the rest, the New York figure falls inside Central Square’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Central Square | NY | U.S. | vs NY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 19.2%15.9–22.7 | 18.1% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.2%13–17.6 | 12.8% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17%14.8–19.5 | 15% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 36.6%30–43.9 | 28.8% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 12.1%10.3–14.1 | 11.5% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 37.8%33.6–42.1 | 32.6% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.5%34.3–42.8 | 37.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 31.8%28.3–35.5 | 24% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.5%10.1–13 | 10.3% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 10.7%9.6–11.8 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.9%6.8–9.1 | 6.1% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 8.9%7.3–10.6 | 6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.1%3.5–4.7 | 3.4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 11.8%9.6–14.3 | 12.8% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.9%11.9–18 | 11.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 28.6%23.4–34 | 25.9% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 16.3%13.4–19.3 | 16.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 39.7%33.8–45.8 | 37.9% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 5.7%4.3–7.5 | 7.9% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 82%78.7–84.8 | 80.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 61.2%57.6–64.7 | 63.5% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 89%87–90.7 | 89.2% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.3%76.4–81.9 | 77.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 68.6%64–72.8 | 66.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 78.6%71.8–84.4 | 78.9% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 21.6%18.4–25.1 | 17.5% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 30.9%26.1–36.1 | 34.2% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 21.6%18–25.6 | 26.4% | 23.6% | Better |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 13.4%10.5–17.1 | 17.2% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 11.3%9.1–13.9 | 14.5% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 7.5%6.1–9 | 8.2% | 7.6% | About the same |
| Lack reliable transportation | 7.8%6.5–9.4 | 8.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 13.5%10.4–17.1 | 14.1% | 11.6% | About the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 30.7%26–35.5 | 27.2% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 15.9%13.2–18.9 | 13.4% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 13.5%11.3–15.8 | 12.1% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.5%6.4–8.6 | 5.6% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 5.3%4.4–6.2 | 5.2% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.1%7.6–10.7 | 7.7% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.3%3.6–5.1 | 3.8% | 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 York figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Central Square
Is Central Square a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Central Square is healthier than 44% of U.S. towns: ≈ C+ for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 54%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Central Square?
CDC estimates 36.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 30% and 43.9%, against 28.8% across New York and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Central Square?
Oswego Hospital in Oswego, 12.4 miles in a straight line from Central Square’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Central Square have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 5.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 4.3–7.5%), against 7.9% across New York.
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 Central Square more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to A−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Central Square.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The New York 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.