United States Post Office Watonga · Photo: Pigdogx · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Watonga is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns
Watonga trails Oklahoma on 17 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Watonga. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Watonga
Watonga is in the bottom 7% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Watonga is healthier than only 7% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on five of the seven. Health Grade ↓
Dental care lags in Watonga
49.3% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 57.1% across Oklahoma. Among those 65 and older, 29.6% have lost all their teeth (Oklahoma 16.4%). Checkups ↓
COPD, stroke and diabetes run high in Watonga
1 in 10 adults have COPD (10.5%), vs 8% across Oklahoma. 1 in 21 adults have had a stroke (4.8%), vs 3.7% across Oklahoma. Diabetes is also above the state: 15.7%, vs 12.8% across Oklahoma. In all, Watonga runs above Oklahoma on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Watonga looks healthier next to Oklahoma than next to the country
It’s healthier than 27% of the 131 Oklahoma towns we grade, but 7% of towns nationwide. Much of Oklahoma scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
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 Oklahoma figure falls outside Watonga’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
What’s behind Watonga’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Watonga is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns, #95 of 131 in Oklahoma. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 19% of U.S. towns); no exercise pulls it down (better than 5%).
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). Watonga’s median household income is $54,081; among the 7,144 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($41K–$68K), it’s healthier than 13%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Few Oklahoma towns score lower on these estimates than towns elsewhere, so within the state Watonga is healthier than 27% of graded towns, against 7% nationally.
Keeping up with care
Share of Watonga adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Oklahoma.
Out of every 100 Watonga adults…
Watonga runs above OK on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 13% of Watonga residents are 65 or older, vs 16% across Oklahoma. Age-related conditions run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Watonga
1 hospital in Watonga, plus the nearest just outside it.
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 Watonga; ≈ 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 Oklahoma
Share of adults, with the Oklahoma figure marked.
5.3 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
How Watonga adults are doing
About the same as Oklahoma on each measure.
1 in 3 Watonga 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.
20.2% of Watonga adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 15.1% across Oklahoma.
Watonga and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watonga | D | 41% | 15.7% | 20.4% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Watonga adults live with a disability (Oklahoma 38.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Watonga
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Watonga is better than Oklahoma on 0 and worse on 17; on the rest, the Oklahoma figure falls inside Watonga’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Watonga | OK | U.S. | vs OK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 26.3%22.8–29.9 | 21.2% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.3%15.2–19.6 | 14.3% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19%16.8–21.3 | 18% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 41%33–49.3 | 38.9% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 15.7%13.7–17.9 | 12.8% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 44.6%40.2–48.9 | 38.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 41.2%36.8–45.7 | 37.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 32.3%28.7–35.8 | 27.8% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.2%10.8–13.6 | 11.5% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.5%7.7–9.5 | 7.8% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.9%7.9–10.1 | 7.3% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.5%9–12.1 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.8%4.3–5.3 | 3.7% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 29.6%25–34.4 | 16.4% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 20.4%17.4–23.5 | 16.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 37.3%32–42.7 | 31.1% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.1%9.8–14.6 | 14% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 39.7%32.9–47 | 36.8% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 14.2%11.8–16.8 | 11.3% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.4%75.8–82.7 | 77.9% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 49.3%45.4–53.3 | 57.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.6%82.4–86.6 | 84.3% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.6%75.9–81.2 | 76.3% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 58.9%53.2–64.2 | 59.7% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 63.5%54.2–72.2 | 70.4% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 25.3%21.6–29.1 | 25.5% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 33.5%28.1–38.9 | 33.1% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 27.3%23.2–31.4 | 25.2% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 23.4%19.8–27 | 18.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 17%14.5–19.5 | 14.1% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 12.4%10.7–14 | 10.3% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 11.5%9.9–13 | 9.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 20.2%17–23.5 | 15.1% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 44.7%39.7–49.7 | 38.9% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21.8%19–24.9 | 17.1% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.6%17.2–22.1 | 17.3% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.8%9.6–12.1 | 9.1% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 7.8%7–8.8 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.8%10.4–13.4 | 9.6% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.7%5–6.5 | 4.3% | 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 Oklahoma figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Watonga
Is Watonga a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Watonga is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns: D for health, #95 of 131 in Oklahoma. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 13%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Watonga?
CDC estimates 41% of adults have obesity, likely between 33% and 49.3%, against 38.9% across Oklahoma and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Watonga?
Mercy Hospital Watonga in Watonga, 0.9 miles in a straight line from Watonga’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Watonga have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 14.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.8–16.8%), against 11.3% across Oklahoma.
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 Watonga 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 Watonga.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Oklahoma 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.