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Colton, NY, USA - panoramio (10)Photo: Idawriter · CC BY-SA 3.0
≈ C+Health Grade
Health in Colton · CDC PLACES 2025

On CDC estimates, Colton is healthier than 41% of U.S. towns

Colton differs from New York on 22 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 10 better, 12 worse.

Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 12922, 13687, 12847, 12927. How CDC estimates town health

What stands out · In brief

What stands out about health in Colton

Cancer, COPD and heart disease run high in Colton

1 in 8 adults have had cancer (12.8%), vs 7.7% across New York. 1 in 10 adults have COPD (9.8%), vs 6% across New York. Heart disease is also above the state: 9.7%, vs 6.1% across New York. In all, Colton runs above New York on nine of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 30% of residents are 65 or older (New York 18%), and cancer, COPD and heart disease are more common later in life. Conditions ↓

More high blood pressure in Colton, and more people treating it

43.6% of adults have high blood pressure (New York 32.6%), but 82.8% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.2% statewide. Checkups ↓

Colton keeps up with checkups

It beats New York on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (84.8% vs 80.8%) and cholesterol checks (91.5% vs 89.2%). Checkups ↓

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 Colton’s likely range; Colton’s figures come from ZIP codes 12922, 13687, 12847, 12927, which may reach past town lines; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to A−.

Health Grade

What’s behind Colton’s grade

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Colton is healthier than 41% of U.S. towns. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 81% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 21%).

B−Self-rated health19.1% · NY 18.1% · U.S. 19.4%
CPhysical distress15.5% · NY 12.8% · U.S. 13%
A−Mental distress15% · NY 15% · U.S. 15.9%
C−Obesity39.8% · NY 28.8% · U.S. 32.9%
C−Diabetes14.3% · NY 11.5% · U.S. 12%
BSmoking14% smoke · NY 11.3% · U.S. 11.8%
CExercise28% · NY 25.9% · U.S. 24.7%
All U.S. towns we grade (21,250)Healthier than 41%
Less healthyHealthier
U.S. towns with similar incomes, $52K–$86K (10,465)Healthier than 51%

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). Colton’s median household income is $69,156; among the 10,465 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($52K–$86K), it’s healthier than 51%, about where its income would put it.

Where Colton compares well: no health insurance (ages 18–64), 5% (U.S. 11%); checkup in the past year, 84.8% (U.S. 77.4%); cholesterol check in 5 years, 91.5% (U.S. 87.1%).

A rough placement. CDC’s likely ranges are wide here: with every estimate at one end or the other, Colton could be anywhere from D to A−. The letter shows with “≈”. These are ZIP code figures (ZIP 12922,13687,12847,12927,13625), weighted by land area, which can reach past town lines.

How TownRatings grades health →

★ What stands out · Chronic conditions

Out of every 100 Colton adults…

Colton runs above NY on 11 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.

13 of every 100 Colton adults have had cancer
New York: 8 in 100 · worse · likely 11.5–14.2%
Better than NYWorseAbout the sameNew York
Why age matters here

Colton is an older town: 30% of residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across New York. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Colton as about how healthy they are.

Residents 65 and older

Colton30%
New York18%
Checkups & screenings

Keeping up with care

Share of Colton adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New York.

85%Yearly checkupNY 81%
62%Dentist visitNY 64%
92%Cholesterol checkNY 89%
72%Colon screeningNY 67%
77%MammogramNY 79%
83%Taking BP medsNY 77%
1 in 20
working-age adults has no health insurance
Colton 5% · New York 1 in 13 (7.9%)
Getting care

Care in and near Colton

No hospital or community health center in Colton itself. These are the nearest.

HNearest ERClifton-Fine HospitalStar Lake · 18.5 miDirections →
+Low-cost careHudson Headwaters Health NetworkTupper Lake · 20.3 mi · sliding-scale feesDirections →
18.5 mi
Clifton-Fine Hospital
Star Lake · not rated
ER
20.3 mi
Hudson Headwaters Health Network
4 sites · nearest in Tupper Lake
Sliding-scale fees
Directions to nearest
22.8 mi
Canton-Potsdam Hospital
Potsdam · ★★★★★
ER
23.6 mi
United Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country
4 sites · nearest in Canton
Sliding-scale fees
Directions to nearest
32.7 mi
Gouverneur Hospital
Gouverneur · not rated
ERRural critical access
33.1 mi
Adirondack Medical Center - Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake · ★★★★★
ER
✓ Primary careNo HRSA shortage area covers Colton itself
✓ Dental careNo HRSA shortage area covers Colton itself
✓ Mental healthNo HRSA shortage area covers Colton itself

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 Colton; ≈ 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).

Habits

Everyday habits, side by side with New York

Share of adults, with the New York figure marked.

Get no exercise 28%NY 25.9%
Sleep under 7 hours 34.2%NY 37.9%
Binge drink 15.3%NY 16.3%
Smoke cigarettes 14%NY 11.3%
0%10%20%30%40%
Colton, betterColton, worseAbout the sameNew York
Where Colton gets moving

153 miles of trails across 12 parks and preserves

Parks & trails →
Mind & connection

How Colton adults are doing

On 1 of 4 measures, Colton runs above New York.

3 in 10Colton adults feel lonely
30.3% · NY 34.2% · About the same as NY
1 in 5Colton adults lack social or emotional support
21.9% · NY 26.4% · Better than NY
1 in 5Colton adults have been diagnosed with depression
21% · NY 17.5% · Worse than NY
1 in 7Colton adults are in frequent mental distress
15% · NY 15% · About the same as NY
The one neighbors can help with

3 in 10 Colton adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.

Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.

Find a group →

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.

Everyday needs

Making ends meet

Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.

1 in 9
Colton adults worry about having enough food
11.3% · NY 17.2%
Better than NY
1 in 11
Colton adults worry about keeping their housing
9.3% · NY 14.5%
Better than NY
1 in 17
Colton adults were threatened with a utility shut-off
6% · NY 8.2%
Better than NY
1 in 16
Colton adults lack reliable transportation
6.4% · NY 8.6%
Better than NY

11.6% of Colton adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.1% across New York.

Around town

Colton and the towns around it

Colton’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 3 graded towns around it.

Parishville: 39.9%Piercefield: 41%Clifton: 44.4%Hopkinton: 39.9%Clare: 43%Long Lake: 29.6%Cranberry Lake: 43.8%Pierrepont: 38.7%Stockholm: 42%Potsdam: 39.5%Tupper Lake: 40.4%Fine: 43.3%Lawrence: 42.7%Waverly: 39.1%Russell: 42.6%Arietta: 31.3%Inlet: 29.6%Newcomb: 32.3%Webb: 36.7%Indian Lake: 30.6%Minerva: 34%Harrietstown: 39.5%Colton: 39.8%ColtonParishvillePiercefieldCliftonHopkintonClareLong LakeCranberry LakeClifton-Fine Hospital · Star Lake · 18.5 miHCanton-Potsdam Hospital · Potsdam · 22.8 mi · 2★ MedicareHAdirondack Medical Center - Saranac Lake · Saranac Lake · 33.1 mi · 4★ MedicareHTupper Lake Family Health · Tupper Lake · 20.3 mi+Community Health Center of the North Country · Canton · 23.6 mi+
Healthier than NYNear NYLess healthyHHospital+Health center
Obesity
#12 of 23 towns on this map, healthiest first
Long Lake29.6%
Colton39.8%
Parishville39.9%
Hopkinton39.9%
Piercefield41%
Clare43%
Cranberry Lake43.8%
Clifton44.4%
NY28.8%

Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.

Health next door

TownHealthObesityDiabetesSmokingFigures from
ColtonC+39.8%14.3%14%ZIP codes
ParishvilleB−39.9%11.5%12.9%ZIP codes
Piercefield————
Clifton————
HopkintonB−39.9%11.9%13.4%ZIP codes
Long Lake————
Clare————
Cranberry Lake————

Piercefield, Clifton, Long Lake, Clare and Cranberry Lake: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.

Disability

Living with a disability

Shown without a better/worse judgment.

32.4%

of Colton adults live with a disability (New York 27.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.

Walking or climbing stairs16.8%
Thinking or memory12.2%
Hearing9.1%
Errands alone8.5%
Vision5.1%
Dressing or bathing4.4%
New York

Every CDC estimate for Colton

Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.

On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Colton is better than New York on 10 and worse on 12; on the rest, the New York figure falls inside Colton’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.

Adults who…ColtonNYU.S.vs NY
Overall health
Fair or poor health19.1%15.6–2318.1%19.4%About the same
Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month)15.5%13.1–1812.8%13%Worse
Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month)15%13–1715%15.9%About the same
Conditions
Obesity39.8%34.1–45.528.8%32.9%Worse
Diabetes14.3%12.1–16.611.5%12%Worse
High blood pressure43.6%39.6–47.532.6%34.4%Worse
High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years)42.9%39–46.837.7%37.1%Worse
Arthritis36.2%32.6–39.824%25.3%Worse
Asthma11.1%9.8–12.410.3%9.9%About the same
Cancer, other than skin cancer12.8%11.5–14.27.7%7.9%Worse
Coronary heart disease9.7%8.3–11.36.1%6.4%Worse
COPD9.8%7.8–126%6.3%Worse
Stroke4.7%3.9–5.53.4%3.4%Worse
Lost all teeth (ages 65+)18.1%15.1–21.512.8%12.3%Worse
Habits
Smoke cigarettes14%11–17.211.3%11.8%About the same
No exercise outside work28%22.8–33.225.9%24.7%About the same
Binge drinking15.3%12.9–17.916.3%15.4%About the same
Sleep under 7 hours34.2%29.7–39.237.9%36%About the same
Checkups and coverage
No health insurance (ages 18–64)5%3.7–6.77.9%11%Better
Checkup in the past year84.8%82.2–87.280.8%77.4%Better
Dentist visit in the past year61.6%58.3–64.863.5%63.2%About the same
Cholesterol check in 5 years91.5%90–92.989.2%87.1%Better
Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure)82.8%80.1–85.277.2%76.5%Better
Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75)72%67.8–7666.8%65.5%Better
Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74)77.2%71–82.878.9%76.4%About the same
Mind and connection
Ever told they have depression21%18.1–2417.5%20.6%Worse
Feel lonely30.3%26–35.134.2%32.5%About the same
Lack social and emotional support21.9%18.3–25.826.4%23.6%Better
Everyday needs
Worried about having enough food11.3%8.6–14.417.2%15%Better
Worried about keeping housing9.3%7.4–11.314.5%12%Better
Threatened with a utility shut-off6%4.9–7.18.2%7.6%Better
Lack reliable transportation6.4%5.3–7.78.6%7.9%Better
Received SNAP (food stamps)11.6%8.7–14.914.1%11.6%About the same
Disability
Any disability32.4%27.5–37.227.2%30.1%Higher
Difficulty walking or climbing stairs16.8%13.6–20.113.4%13.6%Higher
Difficulty concentrating or remembering12.2%10.2–14.312.1%13.9%About the same
Hearing difficulty9.1%7.7–10.55.6%6.7%Higher
Vision difficulty5.1%4.2–6.25.2%5.4%About the same
Difficulty doing errands alone8.5%7–10.17.7%7.9%About the same
Difficulty dressing or bathing4.4%3.6–5.33.8%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 Colton

Is Colton a healthy place to live?

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Colton is healthier than 41% of U.S. towns: ≈ C+ for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 51%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.

What is the obesity rate in Colton?

CDC estimates 39.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 34.1% and 45.5%, against 28.8% across New York and 32.9% nationally.

What hospital is closest to Colton?

Canton-Potsdam Hospital in Potsdam, 22.8 miles in a straight line from Colton’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.

How many people in Colton have no health insurance?

CDC estimates 5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 3.7–6.7%), 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 Colton 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 Colton.

Town Square →
Ask your neighbors

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.