Photo: Brandon Bisel · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Akron as a whole is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns
Akron differs from Ohio on 22 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 20 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Akron. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Akron
Making ends meet is harder in Akron
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (24.9%), vs 14.1% across Ohio. Utility shut-off threats (14.8% vs 8.3%) and no reliable transportation (13% vs 7.7%) are higher too. 23.9% of adults receive SNAP, vs 11.7% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Akron is in the bottom 7% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Akron is healthier than only 7% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
Dental care lags in Akron
54.2% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 62.9% across Ohio. Among those 65 and older, 22.2% have lost all their teeth (Ohio 15.3%). Checkups ↓
Health varies a lot right around Akron
Grades next door run from Montrose-Ghent (A) to Barberton (D). Akron is a D. Around town ↓
Akron has four hospitals within its borders
4 hospitals and 5 community health centers are inside Akron. Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center is rated 5 of 5 stars by Medicare, one of two five-star hospitals in town. 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 Ohio figure falls outside Akron’s likely range.
What’s behind Akron’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Akron is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns, #918 of 993 in Ohio. Physical distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than 18% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 6%).
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). Akron’s median household income is $48,076; among the 5,038 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($36K–$60K), it’s healthier than 19%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
At 189,691 residents, Akron is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
23.9% of Akron adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.7% across Ohio.
Keeping up with care
Share of Akron adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Ohio.
Care in and near Akron
4 hospitals and 5 community health centers in Akron.
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 Akron; ≈ 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).
Akron and the towns around it
Akron’s Health Grade ranks 11th of 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | D | 42.7% | 16.5% | 19.6% | CDC place |
| Cuyahoga Falls | B | 35.8% | 11.9% | 13.8% | CDC place |
| Coventry Township | C+ | 37.3% | 13.9% | 15.4% | ZIP codes |
| Springfield Township | C | 38.4% | 13.9% | 17% | ZIP codes |
| Fairlawn | A− | 33.3% | 12.4% | 9.7% | CDC place |
| Bath Township | A | 32.5% | 12% | 9.1% | ZIP codes |
| Portage Lakes | B− | 36.9% | 13.6% | 14.6% | CDC place |
| Copley Township | B | 36.1% | 13.1% | 12.5% | ZIP codes |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Out of every 100 Akron adults…
Akron runs below OH on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 6. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Ohio
Share of adults, with the Ohio figure marked.
69 miles of trails across 93 parks and preserves
How Akron adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Akron runs above Ohio.
4 in 10 Akron 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Akron adults live with a disability (Ohio 29.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Akron
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Akron is better than Ohio on 2 and worse on 20; on the rest, the Ohio figure falls inside Akron’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Akron | OH | U.S. | vs OH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 26.2%23.8–28.7 | 19.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 16.4%14.8–18.1 | 13.9% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.6%18.6–22.7 | 17.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 42.7%37.8–47.5 | 37.1% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 16.5%14.8–18.3 | 13.2% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 40.2%37–43.3 | 37.2% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 36.2%32.9–39.4 | 36.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 31%28.4–33.6 | 29.8% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 12.5%11.2–13.9 | 11.1% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.4%6.7–8 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.6%6.9–8.3 | 7.1% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 10%9.1–10.9 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.5%4.2–4.8 | 3.7% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 22.2%19–25.4 | 15.3% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 19.6%17.6–21.9 | 15.4% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 33%29.5–36.6 | 26.9% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 14.1%11.9–16.5 | 16.6% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.8%39.6–47.9 | 37.9% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 10.4%9.1–11.8 | 8% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 80.5%77.7–83.1 | 79.9% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 54.2%51.2–57.2 | 62.9% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.7%80.9–84.4 | 86.1% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.8%76.5–80.9 | 79.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 64.2%60.1–68.1 | 65.2% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 68.4%61.7–74.5 | 76% | 76.4% | Worse |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27%23.9–30.1 | 25.4% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 37.1%32.5–41.8 | 35% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 24.6%21.3–28.1 | 21.3% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 24.9%22.4–27.7 | 14.1% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 18.8%16.6–21 | 11.3% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 14.8%13.1–16.5 | 8.3% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 13%11.6–14.4 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 23.9%21.4–26.3 | 11.7% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 36.6%33.2–40.2 | 29.5% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 17.8%16.1–19.7 | 13.9% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.5%15.9–19.2 | 13.9% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.8%6.1–7.5 | 6.8% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 7.4%6.8–7.9 | 4.8% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.2%10.2–12.3 | 8.1% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.7%5.3–6.1 | 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 Ohio figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Akron
Is Akron a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Akron is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns: D for health, #918 of 993 in Ohio. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 19%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Akron?
CDC estimates 42.7% of adults have obesity, likely between 37.8% and 47.5%, against 37.1% across Ohio and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Akron?
Summa Health System in Akron, 0.0 miles in a straight line from Akron’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Akron have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 10.4% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.1–11.8%), against 8% across Ohio.
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 Akron more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Akron.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Ohio 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.