Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainOn CDC estimates, Orwell is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns
Orwell trails Ohio on 21 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Orwell. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Orwell
Orwell is in the bottom 3% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Orwell is healthier than only 3% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
COPD, heart disease and obesity run high in Orwell
1 in 8 adults have COPD (12%), vs 8% across Ohio. 1 in 11 adults have heart disease (9%), vs 7.1% across Ohio. Obesity is also above the state: 45.8%, vs 37.1% across Ohio. In all, Orwell runs above Ohio on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Orwell
1 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (20%), vs 14.1% across Ohio. No reliable transportation (10.3% vs 7.7%) and utility shut-off threats (10.4% vs 8.3%) are higher too. 18.3% of adults receive SNAP, vs 11.7% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Orwell’s likely range.
What’s behind Orwell’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Orwell is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns. All seven of Orwell’s estimates fall in the lowest 13% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is obesity: 45.8% of adults, against 37.1% across Ohio and 32.9% nationally.
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). Orwell’s median household income is $41,563; among the 2,868 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($31K–$52K), it’s healthier than 16%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Out of every 100 Orwell adults…
Orwell runs above OH on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
18.3% of Orwell adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.7% across Ohio.
Care in and near Orwell
No hospital or community health center in Orwell 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 Orwell; ≈ 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).
Everyday habits, side by side with Ohio
Share of adults, with the Ohio figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Orwell adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Ohio.
How Orwell adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Orwell runs above Ohio.
2 in 5 Orwell 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.
Orwell and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orwell | D− | 45.8% | 15.5% | 22.9% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Orwell adults live with a disability (Ohio 29.5%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Orwell
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Orwell is better than Ohio on 0 and worse on 21; on the rest, the Ohio figure falls inside Orwell’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Orwell | OH | U.S. | vs OH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 26.5%22.9–30.7 | 19.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.1%15.8–20.5 | 13.9% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.7%19.2–24.3 | 17.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 45.8%38.8–52.7 | 37.1% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 15.5%13.5–17.7 | 13.2% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 40%36.1–43.8 | 37.2% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.3%34.3–42.3 | 36.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 33.3%29.9–36.5 | 29.8% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.1%10.7–13.7 | 11.1% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.9%8–9.9 | 8.7% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 9%7.9–10.1 | 7.1% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 12%10.2–13.9 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.5%4–5.1 | 3.7% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 21.4%17.7–25.5 | 15.3% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 22.9%19.5–26.6 | 15.4% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 36.1%30.8–41.8 | 26.9% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 15.7%13–18.7 | 16.6% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 37.9%32.6–43.8 | 37.9% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 10.7%8.2–13.6 | 8% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 76.9%73.2–80.2 | 79.9% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 54.4%50.7–58.2 | 62.9% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.4%79.8–84.8 | 86.1% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.2%76.5–81.5 | 79.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 58.9%53.9–64 | 65.2% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 69.3%61.4–76.9 | 76% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 30.3%26.3–34.2 | 25.4% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 38.6%33–44.6 | 35% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 24.2%20.3–28.5 | 21.3% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 20%16.1–24.5 | 14.1% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 14.1%11.7–17 | 11.3% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 10.4%8.8–12.2 | 8.3% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 10.3%8.6–12.2 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 18.3%14.7–22.4 | 11.7% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 37.3%32.6–42.4 | 29.5% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 18.7%15.9–21.7 | 13.9% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19%16.4–21.8 | 13.9% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.5%7.5–9.6 | 6.8% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 6.7%5.8–7.6 | 4.8% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.6%10–13.4 | 8.1% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.4%4.6–6.3 | 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 Orwell
Is Orwell a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Orwell is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 16%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Orwell?
CDC estimates 45.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 38.8% and 52.7%, against 37.1% across Ohio and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Orwell?
Uh Regional Hospitals in Chardon, 17.5 miles in a straight line from Orwell’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Orwell have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 10.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 8.2–13.6%), 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 Orwell 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 Orwell.
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.