George A. Wells Jr. House · Photo: 46percent · Public domainOn CDC estimates, Independence is healthier than 54% of U.S. towns
Independence differs from Oregon on 8 of 26 measures CDC estimates: 3 better, 5 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Independence. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Independence
Independence is behind on routine checkups
It trails Oregon on three of five routine checkups and screenings: yearly checkups (68.2% vs 72.6%), dentist visits (58% vs 64.7%) and cholesterol checks (79.4% vs 84%). Checkups ↓
Many Independence adults are uninsured, but health holds up
1 in 8 working-age adults has no health insurance (12.7%, vs 8.5% across Oregon). Yet the share who say their health is fair or poor, 20.7%, is about level with the state’s 19%. Fewer get a yearly checkup: 68.2% vs 72.6%. 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 Oregon figure falls outside Independence’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to A−.
What’s behind Independence’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Independence is healthier than 54% of U.S. towns, #67 of 142 in Oregon. No exercise holds the grade up (fewer adults who get no exercise than 72% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 13%).
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 $85,375; among the 10,371 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($64K–$107K), it’s healthier than 48%, about where its income would put it.
Keeping up with care
Share of Independence adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Oregon.
Out of every 100 Independence adults…
Independence runs below OR on 3 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 11% of Independence residents are 65 or older, vs 19% across Oregon. Heart disease and cancer run low partly because the town is young.
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).
Everyday habits, side by side with Oregon
Share of adults, with the Oregon figure marked.
0.1 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
How Independence adults are doing
About the same as Oregon on each measure.
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.
Independence and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | B− | 35% | 10.7% | 13.1% | CDC place |
| Monmouth | B+ | 31.3% | 8.7% | 11.2% | CDC place |
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 (Oregon 30%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Independence
Share of adults, 33 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 26 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Independence is better than Oregon on 3 and worse on 5; on the rest, the Oregon 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 | OR | U.S. | vs OR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 20.7%17.9–23.8 | 19% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.1%12.4–15.9 | 13.8% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.5%17.2–21.7 | 17.5% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 35%28.8–41.5 | 33.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 10.7%9.2–12.2 | 11.2% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 28.8%25.4–32.2 | 32.7% | 34.4% | Better |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 31%27.6–34.6 | 34.4% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 24.9%22.2–27.7 | 27.4% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 12.6%11.1–14 | 11.9% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.7%6.1–7.5 | 8.9% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.7%5–6.3 | 6.5% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 6.5%5.6–7.4 | 6.8% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3%2.7–3.3 | 3.3% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 12.2%9.8–14.9 | 12.5% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 13.1%11.1–15.3 | 12% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 22.3%18.5–26.4 | 20.1% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.8%13–18.8 | 15.4% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 35.6%29.5–41.8 | 30.6% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 12.7%10.3–15.2 | 8.5% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 68.2%63.9–72.3 | 72.6% | 77.4% | Worse |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 58%54.1–61.7 | 64.7% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 79.4%76.6–82.1 | 84% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 67.6%64.2–70.8 | 71.4% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 59.2%54–64.2 | 63.4% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 76.5%68.9–82.8 | 77.6% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27.8%24.1–31.6 | 27.1% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 30.5%26.4–34.6 | 30% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 12.6%10.9–14.5 | 13% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.6%15.4–19.8 | 14.6% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.4%5.6–7.2 | 7.1% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 5.4%4.8–6 | 4.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 8.9%7.8–10 | 7.9% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 3.7%3.3–4.2 | 3.4% | 3.8% | About the same |
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 Oregon 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 54% of U.S. towns: ≈ B− for health, #67 of 142 in Oregon. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 48%. 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 35% of adults have obesity, likely between 28.8% and 41.5%, against 33.6% across Oregon and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Independence?
Salem Health West Valley in Dallas, 7.0 miles in a straight line from Independence’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Independence have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 12.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10.3–15.2%), against 8.5% across Oregon.
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 C− to A−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Independence.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Oregon 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.