Fort Hill · Photo: blahedo · CC BY-SA 2.5On CDC estimates, Clemson University is healthier than 87% of U.S. towns
Clemson University differs from South Carolina on 24 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 14 better, 10 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Clemson University. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Clemson University
Binge drinking is the habit Clemson University doesn’t win on
23.4% of adults binge drink, vs 15.7% across South Carolina, even though fewer of them smoke and more of them exercise. Habits ↓
Mental distress runs high in Clemson University
1 in 4 adults are in frequent mental distress (27%), vs 16.4% across South Carolina. Loneliness is above the state too: 46%, vs 31.7% across South Carolina. Mind & connection ↓
Cancer and diabetes are less common in Clemson University
Clemson University runs below South Carolina on nine chronic conditions, most of all cancer (0.8% vs 8.6%), diabetes (1.5% vs 13.9%) and heart disease (0.8% vs 6.8%). A young population is part of it: only 0% of residents are 65 or older (South Carolina 19%). 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 South Carolina figure falls outside Clemson University’s likely range.
What’s behind Clemson University’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Clemson University is healthier than 87% of U.S. towns, #13 of 169 in South Carolina. Diabetes holds the grade up (fewer adults with diabetes than almost every U.S. town); mental distress pulls it down (near the bottom of U.S. towns).
Everyday habits, side by side with South Carolina
Share of adults, with the South Carolina figure marked.
6.6 miles of trails across 8 parks and preserves
How Clemson University adults are doing
On 3 of 4 measures, Clemson University runs above South Carolina.
5 in 10 Clemson University 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.
Out of every 100 Clemson University adults…
Clemson University runs below SC on 9 of 12 conditions and above it on 2. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 0% of Clemson University residents are 65 or older, vs 19% across South Carolina. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Clemson University
No hospital or community health center in Clemson University 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 Clemson University; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Clemson University 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.
8.8% of Clemson University adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.5% across South Carolina.
Clemson University and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | A | 25.3% | 1.5% | 6.7% | CDC place |
| Clemson | B+ | 32.1% | 8.7% | 10.9% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Clemson University adults live with a disability (South Carolina 31.5%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Clemson University
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Clemson University is better than South Carolina on 14 and worse on 10; on the rest, the South Carolina figure falls inside Clemson University’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Clemson University | SC | U.S. | vs SC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 13.4%11.2–15.9 | 20.1% | 19.4% | Better |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 8.6%7.4–10 | 14% | 13% | Better |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 27%23.7–30.2 | 16.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 25.3%20.2–31.1 | 35.8% | 32.9% | Better |
| Diabetes | 1.5%1.3–1.8 | 13.9% | 12% | Better |
| High blood pressure | 10.9%9.1–13.1 | 38.5% | 34.4% | Better |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 12.5%10.5–15 | 38.1% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 4.6%3.8–5.5 | 28.5% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 10.9%9.5–12.3 | 9.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 0.8%0.7–1 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 0.8%0.7–0.9 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 2.1%1.8–2.5 | 7.5% | 6.3% | Better |
| Stroke | 0.5%0.4–0.6 | 3.9% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 17.6%14.3–21.4 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 6.7%5.2–8.3 | 13.3% | 11.8% | Better |
| No exercise outside work | 17.4%13.9–21.7 | 25.8% | 24.7% | Better |
| Binge drinking | 23.4%19.4–27.8 | 15.7% | 15.4% | Worse |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 35.9%30.1–41.9 | 35.8% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 10.7%8.5–13.4 | 11.8% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 68.8%64–73.2 | 80.6% | 77.4% | Worse |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 59.3%55.3–63.1 | 63.1% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 63.8%58.6–68.5 | 86.9% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 18.9%15.5–22.9 | 80.2% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 65%59.8–69.6 | 69.3% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 67.9%58.9–75.4 | 77.6% | 76.4% | Worse |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 32.2%27.8–36.6 | 22.3% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 46%40.6–51.7 | 31.7% | 32.5% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 25%21.1–29.4 | 23.6% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 19.7%15.5–24 | 17.4% | 15% | About the same |
| Worried about keeping housing | 12.2%9.9–14.6 | 13.3% | 12% | About the same |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 7.3%6–8.6 | 8.9% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 13.2%11.1–15.3 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 8.8%6.6–11.4 | 10.5% | 11.6% | About the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 30.2%25.7–34.8 | 31.5% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 3.2%2.6–3.8 | 15.4% | 13.6% | Lower |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 23.8%20.7–26.9 | 14.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 2.4%2–2.7 | 7% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 4%3.5–4.6 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 10.4%9–11.9 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 1.3%1.1–1.5 | 4.3% | 3.8% | Lower |
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 Clemson University
Is Clemson University a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Clemson University is healthier than 87% of U.S. towns: A for health, #13 of 169 in South Carolina. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Clemson University?
CDC estimates 25.3% of adults have obesity, likely between 20.2% and 31.1%, against 35.8% across South Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Clemson University?
Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca, 8.6 miles in a straight line from Clemson University’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Clemson University have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 10.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 8.5–13.4%), 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 Clemson University more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from A− to A.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Clemson University.
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.