On CDC estimates, Independence is healthier than 40% of U.S. towns
Independence differs from New York on 16 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 3 better, 13 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 14897, 14806, 14895. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Independence
COPD, heart disease and cancer run high in Independence
1 in 11 adults have COPD (9.2%), vs 6% across New York. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.3%), vs 6.1% across New York. Cancer is also above the state: 10.3%, vs 7.7% across New York. In all, Independence runs above New York on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Depression is more common in Independence
1 in 5 adults have been diagnosed with depression (21.5%), vs 17.5% across New York. Frequent mental distress is above the state too: 17.4%, vs 15% across New York. Mind & connection ↓
Smoking is more common in Independence
1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (15.7%), vs 11.3% across New York. 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 York figure falls outside Independence’s likely range; Independence’s figures come from ZIP codes 14897, 14806, 14895, which may reach past town lines; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B+.
What’s behind Independence’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Independence is healthier than 40% of U.S. towns. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 49% of U.S. towns); physical distress pulls it down (better than 28%).
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). Independence’s median household income is $68,750; among the 10,428 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($52K–$86K), it’s healthier than 50%, about where its income would put it.
Where Independence compares well: no health insurance (ages 18–64), 6.2% (U.S. 11%).
Out of every 100 Independence adults…
Independence runs above NY on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
How Independence adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Independence runs above New York.
1 in 3 Independence 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.
Everyday habits, side by side with New York
Share of adults, with the New York figure marked.
Care in and near Independence
No hospital or community health center in Independence 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 Independence; ≈ 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 Independence adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New York.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
14.7% of Independence adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.1% across New York.
Independence and the towns around it
Independence’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 4 graded towns around it.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | C+ | 36.3% | 12.3% | 15.7% | ZIP codes |
| Willing | B− | 35.9% | 12.2% | 14.8% | ZIP codes |
| Andover | C+ | 37% | 12.5% | 15.9% | ZIP codes |
| Wellsville | B− | 35.9% | 12.2% | 14.7% | ZIP 14895 |
| Greenwood | — | — | — | — | |
| West Union | — | — | — | — |
Greenwood and West Union: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Independence adults live with a disability (New York 27.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Independence
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Independence is better than New York on 3 and worse on 13; on the rest, the New York figure falls inside Independence’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Independence | NY | U.S. | vs NY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 20%17.2–22.9 | 18.1% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.5%13.7–17.4 | 12.8% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.4%15.4–19.4 | 15% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 36.3%29.4–44.1 | 28.8% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 12.3%10.7–14.1 | 11.5% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 38.6%34.7–42.8 | 32.6% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 39.8%35.6–44.1 | 37.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 31.5%28.3–34.9 | 24% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.6%10.3–13 | 10.3% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 10.3%9.4–11.3 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.3%7.4–9.2 | 6.1% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 9.2%8–10.5 | 6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.2%3.8–4.6 | 3.4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 15.7%13–18.7 | 12.8% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 15.7%13.1–18.3 | 11.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 27.3%23–32 | 25.9% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 16.5%13.7–19.7 | 16.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 37.6%31.2–44.4 | 37.9% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 6.2%4.9–7.6 | 7.9% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 81%77.7–83.9 | 80.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 59.3%55.6–62.8 | 63.5% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 88.4%86.6–89.9 | 89.2% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79%76.3–81.5 | 77.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 66.6%61.6–71.2 | 66.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 75.8%68–82.4 | 78.9% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 21.5%18.4–24.9 | 17.5% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 32.1%27.3–37.4 | 34.2% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 22.5%19.2–26.3 | 26.4% | 23.6% | Better |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 14.7%12.2–17.6 | 17.2% | 15% | About the same |
| Worried about keeping housing | 12%10.2–14.2 | 14.5% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 7.8%6.7–9.1 | 8.2% | 7.6% | About the same |
| Lack reliable transportation | 8.2%7.1–9.5 | 8.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 14.7%12.2–17.5 | 14.1% | 11.6% | About the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 31.7%27.6–36.1 | 27.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 16.1%14–18.5 | 13.4% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 14.3%12.5–16.2 | 12.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.9%7–8.8 | 5.6% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 5.4%4.8–6.1 | 5.2% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.5%8.3–10.7 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.5%3.9–5.1 | 3.8% | 3.8% | Higher |
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 Independence
Is Independence a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Independence is healthier than 40% of U.S. towns: ≈ C+ for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 50%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Independence?
CDC estimates 36.3% of adults have obesity, likely between 29.4% and 44.1%, against 28.8% across New York and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Independence?
Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, 9.4 miles in a straight line from Independence’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Independence have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 6.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 4.9–7.6%), 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 Independence more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Independence.
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.