John J. Kaminer House · Photo: Eastward Gypsy · CC BY-SA 4.0Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Gadsden is healthier than 52%
Gadsden differs from South Carolina on 22 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 7 better, 15 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Gadsden. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Gadsden
Diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure run high in Gadsden
1 in 5 adults have diabetes (22.1%), vs 13.9% across South Carolina. 1 in 16 adults have had a stroke (6.1%), vs 3.9% across South Carolina. High blood pressure is also above the state: 52.1%, vs 38.5% across South Carolina. In all, Gadsden runs above South Carolina on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Gadsden
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (25.9%), vs 17.4% across South Carolina. Utility shut-off threats (14.3% vs 8.9%) and housing insecurity (20.8% vs 13.3%) are higher too. 18.6% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.5% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
More high blood pressure in Gadsden, and more people treating it
52.1% of adults have high blood pressure (South Carolina 38.5%), but 84.5% of them take medicine for it, vs 80.2% statewide. Checkups ↓
Gadsden is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Gadsden is healthier than 26%. Against the 6,778 towns with similar household incomes ($40K–$66K), it’s healthier than 52%. 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 Gadsden’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B−.
What’s behind Gadsden’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Gadsden is healthier than 26% of U.S. towns. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 76% of U.S. towns); diabetes 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). Gadsden’s median household income is $52,966; among the 6,778 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($40K–$66K), it’s healthier than 52%, about where its income would put it.
Where Gadsden compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.7% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 11% (U.S. 15.4%); checkup in the past year, 86% (U.S. 77.4%).
Out of every 100 Gadsden adults…
Gadsden runs below SC on 2 of 12 conditions and above it on 7. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
18.6% of Gadsden adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.5% across South Carolina.
Keeping up with care
Share of Gadsden adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Carolina.
Care in and near Gadsden
No hospital or community health center in Gadsden 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 Gadsden; ≈ 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.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Gadsden adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Gadsden runs above South Carolina.
1 in 3 Gadsden 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.
Gadsden and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gadsden | C | 41.8% | 22.1% | 13.9% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Gadsden adults live with a disability (South Carolina 31.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Gadsden
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Gadsden is better than South Carolina on 7 and worse on 15; on the rest, the South Carolina figure falls inside Gadsden’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Gadsden | SC | U.S. | vs SC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 26.9%22.8–31 | 20.1% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.8%13.6–18 | 14% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.4%13.5–17.5 | 16.4% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 41.8%37.3–46.5 | 35.8% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 22.1%19.7–24.8 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 52.1%48.9–55.4 | 38.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 40.8%37.6–44 | 38.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 34.8%32–37.9 | 28.5% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.9%9.6–12.2 | 9.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.7%6–7.4 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 8%7–9.1 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 8.3%6.8–9.9 | 7.5% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 6.1%5.3–6.9 | 3.9% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 19.5%16.3–22.8 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 13.9%11.1–16.7 | 13.3% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 29.5%25–34.1 | 25.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 11%9.4–13 | 15.7% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 46.8%42.4–50.8 | 35.8% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 12.8%9.8–16.1 | 11.8% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 86%83.8–88.1 | 80.6% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 57.7%54.5–60.6 | 63.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 89.9%88.1–91.6 | 86.9% | 87.1% | Better |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 84.5%82.5–86.4 | 80.2% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 76.6%73–79.6 | 69.3% | 65.5% | Better |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 80.3%74.8–84.6 | 77.6% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 18%15.7–20.4 | 22.3% | 20.6% | Better |
| Feel lonely | 35.7%31.4–40.2 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 30.7%26.4–35.1 | 23.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 25.9%20.5–31.4 | 17.4% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 20.8%17–24.7 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 14.3%11.8–16.8 | 8.9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 12.4%10.1–14.7 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 18.6%14–23.2 | 10.5% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 36.6%32.2–41 | 31.5% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 22.7%19.3–26.2 | 15.4% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 14.6%12.4–16.8 | 14.3% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 5.8%5.1–6.6 | 7% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 8.5%7.2–9.8 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 10.8%9.1–12.6 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.8%5.7–8 | 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 Gadsden
Is Gadsden a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Gadsden is healthier than 26% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Gadsden?
CDC estimates 41.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 37.3% and 46.5%, against 35.8% across South Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Gadsden?
Prisma Health Baptist in Columbia, 15.2 miles in a straight line from Gadsden’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Gadsden have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 12.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.8–16.1%), 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 Gadsden more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Gadsden.
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.