Photo: Nicholas T · CC BY 2.0On CDC estimates, Emporium is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns
Emporium differs from Pennsylvania on 18 of 26 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 17 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Emporium. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Emporium
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Emporium
1 in 7 adults have COPD (13.7%), vs 7.7% across Pennsylvania. 1 in 18 adults have had a stroke (5.7%), vs 3.7% across Pennsylvania. Heart disease is also above the state: 11.2%, vs 7.4% across Pennsylvania. In all, Emporium runs above Pennsylvania on nine of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Emporium
51.4% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 64.4% across Pennsylvania. Among those 65 and older, 25.7% have lost all their teeth (Pennsylvania 14.5%). Checkups ↓
Emporium is in the bottom 5% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Emporium is healthier than only 5% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
More high blood pressure in Emporium, and more people treating it
40.6% of adults have high blood pressure (Pennsylvania 32.8%), but 82.7% of them take medicine for it, vs 79.2% statewide. Checkups ↓
Emporium is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Emporium is healthier than 5%. Against the 3,187 towns with similar household incomes ($32K–$53K), it’s healthier than 24%. 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 Pennsylvania figure falls outside Emporium’s likely range.
What’s behind Emporium’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Emporium is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 22% of U.S. towns); smoking pulls it down (near the bottom of U.S. towns).
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). Emporium’s median household income is $42,500; among the 3,187 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($32K–$53K), it’s healthier than 24%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Emporium compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 82.7% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Emporium adults…
Emporium runs above PA on 10 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Emporium adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Pennsylvania.
Care in and near Emporium
1 community health center in Emporium, 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 Emporium; ≈ 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 Pennsylvania
Share of adults, with the Pennsylvania figure marked.
1.3 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
How Emporium adults are doing
On 2 of 2 measures, Emporium runs above Pennsylvania.
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.
Emporium and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emporium | D | 39.8% | 15.3% | 25.5% | CDC place |
| Prospect Park | — | — | — | — |
Prospect Park: 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 Emporium adults live with a disability (Pennsylvania 31.3%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Emporium
Share of adults, 33 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 26 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Emporium is better than Pennsylvania on 1 and worse on 17; on the rest, the Pennsylvania figure falls inside Emporium’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Emporium | PA | U.S. | vs PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 29%26.1–32 | 18.7% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.9%17.8–22.2 | 13.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.5%18.6–22.6 | 16.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 39.8%31.6–48.4 | 33.8% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 15.3%13.2–17.6 | 11.6% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 40.6%36.1–45.3 | 32.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.7%33.7–43.8 | 33.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 39.9%35.9–44 | 30.4% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.4%10.9–14 | 10.6% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 10.3%9.3–11.4 | 8.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 11.2%10–12.4 | 7.4% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 13.7%12.3–15.2 | 7.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.7%5.2–6.3 | 3.7% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 25.7%21.3–30.4 | 14.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 25.5%22.7–28.6 | 15.8% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 34%29–39.2 | 23.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 16%13–19.4 | 18.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 41.4%34–49 | 37.9% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 9.5%7.3–11.9 | 5.8% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.8%75–82.2 | 78.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 51.4%47.5–55.5 | 64.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.9%80.1–85.4 | 85.3% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 82.7%79.7–85.3 | 79.2% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62.5%57.1–67.9 | 67.5% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 72.8%64.2–80.5 | 77.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27.4%23.5–31.6 | 23% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 43.8%39–48.7 | 31.3% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 22.9%20.4–25.5 | 14.2% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.4%18.3–22.6 | 14.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 11.9%10.6–13.2 | 7.6% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 8.3%7.6–9.1 | 5.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13.4%12.2–14.8 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.7%6.1–7.3 | 3.7% | 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 Pennsylvania figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Emporium
Is Emporium a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Emporium is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns: D for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 24%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Emporium?
CDC estimates 39.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 31.6% and 48.4%, against 33.8% across Pennsylvania and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Emporium?
Penn Highlands Elk in Saint Marys, 18.7 miles in a straight line from Emporium’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Emporium have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 9.5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 7.3–11.9%), against 5.8% across Pennsylvania.
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 Emporium 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 Emporium.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Pennsylvania 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.