Cornwell Inn · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0Chester’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Chester differs from South Carolina on 27 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 25 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Chester. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Chester
More Chester adults get no exercise
2 in 5 adults get no exercise outside work (41.1%), vs 25.8% across South Carolina. Habits ↓
Dental care lags in Chester
45.4% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.1% across South Carolina. Among those 65 and older, 25.1% have lost all their teeth (South Carolina 13.9%). Checkups ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Chester
2 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (39.3%), more than twice the South Carolina rate. Utility shut-off threats (21.4% vs 8.9%) and no reliable transportation (18.2% vs 8.6%) are higher too. 32.1% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.5% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Chester’s likely range.
What’s behind Chester’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Chester is near the bottom of U.S. towns, #165 of 169 in South Carolina. All seven of Chester’s estimates fall in the lowest 6% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 21.8% 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). Chester’s median household income is $46,138; among the 4,391 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($35K–$58K), it’s healthier than 3%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Chester compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.8% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 11.5% (U.S. 15.4%).
Everyday habits, side by side with South Carolina
Share of adults, with the South Carolina figure marked.
0.3 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Chester adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Carolina.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
32.1% of Chester adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.5% across South Carolina.
Out of every 100 Chester adults…
Chester runs below SC on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 9. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Chester
1 community health center in Chester, 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 Chester; ≈ 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).
How Chester adults are doing
On 3 of 4 measures, Chester runs above South Carolina.
2 in 5 Chester 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.
Chester and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | D− | 44.8% | 21.8% | 22.4% | CDC place |
| Eureka Mill | D− | 42.3% | 18.8% | 20.5% | CDC place |
| Gayle Mill | — | — | — | — |
Gayle Mill: 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 Chester adults live with a disability (South Carolina 31.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Chester
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Chester is better than South Carolina on 2 and worse on 25; on the rest, the South Carolina figure falls inside Chester’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Chester | SC | U.S. | vs SC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 33.7%30–37.3 | 20.1% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.3%17.1–21.5 | 14% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.7%18.4–23 | 16.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 44.8%37.7–52 | 35.8% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 21.8%19.4–24.4 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 50.1%46–54.2 | 38.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 40.1%36–44.3 | 38.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 33.1%29.8–36.5 | 28.5% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.1%10.7–13.5 | 9.6% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.8%6.1–7.5 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.3%8.3–10.2 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 12.2%10.8–13.5 | 7.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.6%6–7.2 | 3.9% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 25.1%21–29.5 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 22.4%19.4–25.3 | 13.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 41.1%35.8–46.2 | 25.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.5%9.4–13.8 | 15.7% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.9%37.2–50.9 | 35.8% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 17.6%14.8–20.3 | 11.8% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 82.2%79.1–84.9 | 80.6% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 45.4%41.5–49.5 | 63.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.1%82.1–86 | 86.9% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 81.6%79.3–83.8 | 80.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62.3%56.8–67.4 | 69.3% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 73.8%65.4–81 | 77.6% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22.3%19.1–25.7 | 22.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 38.1%32.9–43.3 | 31.7% | 32.5% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 31%27–35 | 23.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 39.3%35–43.5 | 17.4% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 27.7%24.4–31.1 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 21.4%19–23.9 | 8.9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 18.2%16.1–20.4 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 32.1%28.3–35.7 | 10.5% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 42.5%37.7–47 | 31.5% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 25.4%22.6–28.1 | 15.4% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.4%18.1–22.7 | 14.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.8%7–8.7 | 7% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 11.4%10.3–12.5 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 15.3%13.6–16.9 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 9%8.1–9.9 | 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 Chester
Is Chester a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Chester is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health, #165 of 169 in South Carolina. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 3%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Chester?
CDC estimates 44.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 37.7% and 52%, against 35.8% across South Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Chester?
MUSC Health Chester Medical Center in Chester, 1.8 miles in a straight line from Chester’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Chester have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 17.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 14.8–20.3%), 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 Chester more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Chester.
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.