Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided · Public domainWhere Dexter residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Dexter, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Dexter. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Dexter
Obesity, COPD and arthritis run high in Dexter
2 in 5 adults have obesity (38.7%), vs 28.8% across New York. 1 in 13 adults have COPD (7.7%), vs 6% across New York. Arthritis is also above the state: 29.8%, vs 24% across New York. In all, Dexter runs above New York on six of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 27% of residents are 65 or older (New York 18%), and COPD and arthritis are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Dexter
1 in 7 adults smoke cigarettes (14.7%), vs 11.3% across New York. Habits ↓
Nearly everyone in Dexter is insured
Only 5.4% of adults 18–64 have no health insurance, vs 7.9% across New York. 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 Dexter’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Dexter adults…
Dexter runs above NY on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Dexter is an older town: 27% of residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across New York. COPD, arthritis and cancer rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Dexter as about how healthy they are.
Everyday habits, side by side with New York
Share of adults, with the New York figure marked.
0 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Keeping up with care
Share of Dexter adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New York.
Care in and near Dexter
No hospital or community health center in Dexter 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 Dexter; ≈ 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).
How Dexter adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Dexter runs above New York.
3 in 10 Dexter 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.
12.8% of Dexter adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.1% across New York.
Dexter 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hounsfield | B | 37.8% | 10.8% | 13.9% | ZIP codes |
| Brownville | B | 38.5% | 11.5% | 14.5% | ZIP codes |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Dexter adults live with a disability (New York 27.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Dexter
Why doesn’t Dexter have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Dexter.
What hospital is closest to Dexter?
Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, 7.1 miles in a straight line from Dexter’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Dexter?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is JCC Health & Wellness Center in Watertown, 5.4 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Dexter.
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. 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.