J.C. Stribling Barn · Photo: KudzuVine · Public domainAmong U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Clemson is healthier than 97%
Clemson differs from South Carolina on 18 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 11 better, 7 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Clemson. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Clemson
Clemson is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Clemson is healthier than 69%. Against the 5,611 towns with similar household incomes ($37K–$62K), it’s healthier than 97%. Health Grade ↓
Mental distress runs high in Clemson
1 in 5 adults are in frequent mental distress (20.4%), vs 16.4% across South Carolina. Depression is above the state too: 27%, vs 22.3% across South Carolina. Mind & connection ↓
Clemson is behind on routine checkups
It trails South Carolina on three of five routine checkups and screenings: yearly checkups (75.3% vs 80.6%), dentist visits (59.2% vs 63.1%) and cholesterol checks (75.1% vs 86.9%). Checkups ↓
Diabetes and arthritis are less common in Clemson
Clemson runs below South Carolina on eight chronic conditions, most of all diabetes (8.7% vs 13.9%), arthritis (18.6% vs 28.5%) and stroke (2.6% vs 3.9%). A young population is part of it: only 13% 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’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C+ to A.
What’s behind Clemson’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Clemson is healthier than 69% of U.S. towns, #35 of 169 in South Carolina. Diabetes holds the grade up (fewer adults with diabetes than 93% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 7%).
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). Clemson’s median household income is $49,520; among the 5,611 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($37K–$62K), it’s healthier than 97%, more than its income alone would suggest.
How Clemson adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Clemson runs above South Carolina.
4 in 10 Clemson 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 adults…
Clemson runs below SC on 9 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Clemson adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Carolina.
Care in and near Clemson
1 community health center in Clemson, 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 Clemson; ≈ 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.
3.2 miles of trails across 7 parks and preserves
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
12.7% of Clemson adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.5% across South Carolina.
Clemson and the towns around it
Clemson’s Health Grade ranks 2nd of 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | B+ | 32.1% | 8.7% | 10.9% | CDC place |
| Clemson University | A | 25.3% | 1.5% | 6.7% | CDC place |
| Central | B | 34.1% | 8.2% | 12.2% | CDC place |
| Pendleton | B | 33.8% | 12.1% | 11.5% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Clemson adults live with a disability (South Carolina 31.5%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Clemson
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Clemson is better than South Carolina on 11 and worse on 7; on the rest, the South Carolina figure falls inside Clemson’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Clemson | SC | U.S. | vs SC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 18.7%16.2–21.5 | 20.1% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 12.1%10.6–13.7 | 14% | 13% | Better |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.4%17.9–23 | 16.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 32.1%26.6–38.5 | 35.8% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 8.7%7.6–9.8 | 13.9% | 12% | Better |
| High blood pressure | 27.5%24.5–30.7 | 38.5% | 34.4% | Better |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 28.9%25.8–32.2 | 38.1% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 18.6%16.6–20.7 | 28.5% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 9.8%8.6–11.1 | 9.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.9%5.4–6.5 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.8%4.3–5.3 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 5.8%5.1–6.5 | 7.5% | 6.3% | Better |
| Stroke | 2.6%2.4–2.8 | 3.9% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 11.5%9.5–13.6 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 10.9%9.1–12.9 | 13.3% | 11.8% | Better |
| No exercise outside work | 23.7%19.8–27.9 | 25.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 17.7%14.7–21.1 | 15.7% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 35.2%29.7–40.7 | 35.8% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.4%9.2–14 | 11.8% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 75.3%71.3–79 | 80.6% | 77.4% | Worse |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 59.2%55.6–62.5 | 63.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 75.1%72–78.4 | 86.9% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 66.8%64.5–69.1 | 80.2% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 67.6%63.1–71.8 | 69.3% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.4%66.8–80.8 | 77.6% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27%23.5–30.9 | 22.3% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 36%31.1–40.9 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 21.7%18.4–25.1 | 23.6% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 20.9%16.9–24.8 | 17.4% | 15% | About the same |
| Worried about keeping housing | 12.9%10.6–15.2 | 13.3% | 12% | About the same |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 9.2%7.6–10.6 | 8.9% | 7.6% | About the same |
| Lack reliable transportation | 11.9%9.9–13.9 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 12.7%9.9–15.5 | 10.5% | 11.6% | About the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 32.3%28.1–36.8 | 31.5% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 10.5%9.1–11.9 | 15.4% | 13.6% | Lower |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 18.7%16.1–21.5 | 14.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6%5.3–6.7 | 7% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 5.7%5.1–6.5 | 5.6% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 10.5%8.9–12 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 3.3%3–3.7 | 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
Is Clemson a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Clemson is healthier than 69% of U.S. towns: ≈ B+ for health, #35 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?
CDC estimates 32.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 26.6% and 38.5%, against 35.8% across South Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Clemson?
Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca, 10.0 miles in a straight line from Clemson’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Clemson have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.4% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.2–14%), 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 more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C+ to A.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Clemson.
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.