Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn CDC estimates, Rochester is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns
Rochester differs from Pennsylvania on 20 of 26 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 19 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Rochester. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Rochester
Dental care lags in Rochester
49.8% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 64.4% across Pennsylvania. Among those 65 and older, 25% have lost all their teeth (Pennsylvania 14.5%). Checkups ↓
Rochester is in the bottom 4% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Rochester is healthier than only 4% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
COPD, stroke and obesity run high in Rochester
1 in 8 adults have COPD (12.1%), vs 7.7% across Pennsylvania. 1 in 19 adults have had a stroke (5.3%), vs 3.7% across Pennsylvania. Obesity is also above the state: 44.1%, vs 33.8% across Pennsylvania. In all, Rochester runs above Pennsylvania on nine of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
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 Rochester’s likely range.
What’s behind Rochester’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Rochester is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns, #1,022 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. Diabetes holds the grade up (fewer adults with diabetes than 19% 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). Rochester’s median household income is $43,080; among the 3,365 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($32K–$54K), it’s healthier than 18%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Keeping up with care
Share of Rochester adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Pennsylvania.
Out of every 100 Rochester adults…
Rochester runs below PA on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 10. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Rochester
1 community health center in Rochester, 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 Rochester; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Everyday habits, side by side with Pennsylvania
Share of adults, with the Pennsylvania figure marked.
0 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Rochester adults are doing
On 2 of 2 measures, Rochester 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.
Rochester and the towns around it
Rochester’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | D− | 44.1% | 14.5% | 25.3% | CDC place |
| Rochester Township | C− | 40.6% | 13.4% | 20.5% | ZIP codes |
| Monaca | B− | 38.4% | 11.3% | 16.5% | CDC place |
| Bridgewater | — | — | — | — | |
| East Rochester | — | — | — | — |
Bridgewater and East Rochester: 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 Rochester adults live with a disability (Pennsylvania 31.3%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Rochester
Share of adults, 33 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 26 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Rochester is better than Pennsylvania on 1 and worse on 19; on the rest, the Pennsylvania figure falls inside Rochester’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Rochester | PA | U.S. | vs PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 28.4%25.7–31.4 | 18.7% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.3%16.4–20.5 | 13.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.1%19.1–23.3 | 16.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 44.1%36.8–51.2 | 33.8% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 14.5%12.7–16.7 | 11.6% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 38.8%34.4–43.2 | 32.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 35.9%31.7–40.3 | 33.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 36.1%32.4–39.8 | 30.4% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.6%11.2–14.3 | 10.6% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.9%7.1–8.7 | 8.8% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.2%8.3–10.3 | 7.4% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 12.1%10.9–13.5 | 7.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.3%4.8–5.8 | 3.7% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 25%21–29.3 | 14.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 25.3%22.5–28.5 | 15.8% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 33.6%29–38.4 | 23.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 17.9%14.8–21.3 | 18.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 41.9%35.4–48.3 | 37.9% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 9.4%7.4–11.7 | 5.8% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 77.4%73.7–81 | 78.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 49.8%45.9–53.9 | 64.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 81%78.2–83.6 | 85.3% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.5%76.5–82.3 | 79.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 60.9%55.4–66.1 | 67.5% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 73%64.7–80.3 | 77.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27.1%23.4–31.2 | 23% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 40.5%36.2–45 | 31.3% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 20.7%18.6–23.1 | 14.2% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.6%18.6–22.9 | 14.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 9.6%8.5–10.8 | 7.6% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 8.4%7.7–9.2 | 5.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13.2%12–14.6 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.6%6–7.1 | 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 Rochester
Is Rochester a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Rochester is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #1,022 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 18%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Rochester?
CDC estimates 44.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 36.8% and 51.2%, against 33.8% across Pennsylvania and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Rochester?
Heritage Valley Beaver in Beaver, 2.2 miles in a straight line from Rochester’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Rochester have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 9.4% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 7.4–11.7%), 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 Rochester 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 Rochester.
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.