Banksia Hall · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Barnwell is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns
Barnwell differs from South Carolina on 23 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 22 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Barnwell. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Barnwell
Making ends meet is harder in Barnwell
1 in 3 adults worry about having enough food (32.9%), about twice the South Carolina rate. Utility shut-off threats (16.9% vs 8.9%) and no reliable transportation (15.3% vs 8.6%) are higher too. 24.5% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.5% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Barnwell
52.9% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.1% across South Carolina. Among those 65 and older, 22.3% have lost all their teeth (South Carolina 13.9%). Barnwell’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
Barnwell is in the bottom 5% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Barnwell is healthier than only 5% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. 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 South Carolina figure falls outside Barnwell’s likely range.
What’s behind Barnwell’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Barnwell is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns, #151 of 169 in South Carolina. All seven of Barnwell’s estimates fall in the lowest 14% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 17.9% of adults, against 13.9% across South Carolina and 12% 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). Barnwell’s median household income is $52,006; among the 6,467 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($39K–$65K), it’s healthier than 9%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Barnwell compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 7% (U.S. 7.9%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
24.5% of Barnwell adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.5% across South Carolina.
Keeping up with care
Share of Barnwell adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Carolina.
Out of every 100 Barnwell adults…
Barnwell runs below SC on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 8. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Barnwell
1 community health center in Barnwell, 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 Barnwell; ≈ 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 South Carolina
Share of adults, with the South Carolina figure marked.
2.7 miles of trails across 6 parks and preserves
How Barnwell adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Barnwell runs above South Carolina.
4 in 10 Barnwell 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.
Barnwell and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnwell | D | 43.9% | 17.9% | 19.5% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Barnwell adults live with a disability (South Carolina 31.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Barnwell
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Barnwell is better than South Carolina on 1 and worse on 22; on the rest, the South Carolina figure falls inside Barnwell’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Barnwell | SC | U.S. | vs SC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 29%25.8–32.1 | 20.1% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.1%15.2–19 | 14% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.5%17.4–21.6 | 16.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 43.9%36.6–50.7 | 35.8% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 17.9%15.8–19.8 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 43.3%39.3–47 | 38.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.4%33.4–41.1 | 38.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 28.7%25.8–31.5 | 28.5% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 11.2%9.9–12.5 | 9.6% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7%6.3–7.6 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 8%7.2–8.7 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.5%9.3–11.7 | 7.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.4%4.9–5.9 | 3.9% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 22.3%18.9–26.1 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 19.5%16.9–22 | 13.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 35.8%31–40.2 | 25.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 13.3%10.9–15.8 | 15.7% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 45.6%39.5–51.9 | 35.8% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 16.4%13.8–19.1 | 11.8% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 80.4%77–83.3 | 80.6% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 52.9%49.3–56.6 | 63.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.1%80.8–85.1 | 86.9% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.8%77.3–81.9 | 80.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 64.8%60.1–69.4 | 69.3% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 76.7%69.8–83 | 77.6% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22%18.8–25.1 | 22.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 36.6%31.4–41.9 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 29.6%25.7–33.9 | 23.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 32.9%28.9–37.1 | 17.4% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 23.3%20.4–26.4 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 16.9%14.8–19.1 | 8.9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 15.3%13.5–17.3 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 24.5%21.2–28 | 10.5% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39.5%35–43.5 | 31.5% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21.6%19.1–23.9 | 15.4% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.4%17.3–21.5 | 14.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.4%6.6–8.1 | 7% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 9.3%8.4–10.2 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13.4%12–14.9 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7%6.3–7.8 | 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 South Carolina figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Barnwell
Is Barnwell a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Barnwell is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns: D for health, #151 of 169 in South Carolina. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 9%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Barnwell?
CDC estimates 43.9% of adults have obesity, likely between 36.6% and 50.7%, against 35.8% across South Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Barnwell?
Allendale County Hospital in Fairfax, 20.3 miles in a straight line from Barnwell’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Barnwell have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 16.4% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 13.8–19.1%), against 11.8% across South Carolina.
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 Barnwell 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 Barnwell.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The South Carolina 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.