On CDC estimates, Utica is healthier than 9% of U.S. towns
Utica differs from South Carolina on 19 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 18 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Utica. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Utica
Utica is in the bottom 9% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Utica is healthier than only 9% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on self-rated health, physical distress, obesity and diabetes. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Utica
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (24.3%), vs 17.4% across South Carolina. Utility shut-off threats (12.4% vs 8.9%) and no reliable transportation (11.7% vs 8.6%) are higher too. 16.8% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.5% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Utica
54% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.1% across South Carolina. Among those 65 and older, 19.1% have lost all their teeth (South Carolina 13.9%). Checkups ↓
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 Utica’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C+.
What’s behind Utica’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Utica is healthier than 9% of U.S. towns. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 19% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 8%).
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). Utica’s median household income is $55,179; among the 7,471 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($41K–$69K), it’s healthier than 16%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
16.8% of Utica adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.5% across South Carolina.
Keeping up with care
Share of Utica adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Carolina.
Out of every 100 Utica adults…
Utica runs below SC on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 6. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Utica
No hospital or community health center in Utica 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 Utica; ≈ 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 Utica adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Utica runs above South Carolina.
1 in 3 Utica 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.
Utica and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Utica adults live with a disability (South Carolina 31.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Utica
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Utica is better than South Carolina on 1 and worse on 18; on the rest, the South Carolina figure falls inside Utica’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Utica | SC | U.S. | vs SC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 25.9%22.5–29.5 | 20.1% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.1%15–19.3 | 14% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.2%16.9–21.7 | 16.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 42.8%36.4–49.6 | 35.8% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 15.7%13.8–17.8 | 13.9% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 38.4%34.5–42.2 | 38.5% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.7%33.9–41.6 | 38.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 30.6%27.5–33.8 | 28.5% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 11%9.7–12.4 | 9.6% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.6%6.8–8.4 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.5%6.6–8.4 | 6.8% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 10%8.5–11.5 | 7.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.6%4.1–5.1 | 3.9% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 19.1%15.7–22.9 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 18.2%15.2–21.6 | 13.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 31.7%27.1–36.7 | 25.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 16.8%13.8–20 | 15.7% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 40.7%35.2–46.7 | 35.8% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 14.3%11.5–17.4 | 11.8% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.6%76–82.8 | 80.6% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 54%50.4–57.7 | 63.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.8%81.1–86.1 | 86.9% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.1%76.4–81.6 | 80.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 61.9%57–66.8 | 69.3% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 73%65.5–80 | 77.6% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27.2%23.6–31.1 | 22.3% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 32.7%28.2–37.5 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 24.5%21.1–28.3 | 23.6% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 24.3%20.5–28.6 | 17.4% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 17.2%14.7–20.1 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 12.4%10.7–14.3 | 8.9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 11.7%10.1–13.4 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 16.8%13.9–20 | 10.5% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 35.8%31.4–40.5 | 31.5% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 18.3%15.9–20.9 | 15.4% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 18.1%15.7–20.7 | 14.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.4%6.5–8.4 | 7% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 7.4%6.6–8.4 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.7%10.2–13.4 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.8%5.1–6.7 | 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 Utica
Is Utica a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Utica is healthier than 9% of U.S. towns: D for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 16%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Utica?
CDC estimates 42.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 36.4% and 49.6%, against 35.8% across South Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Utica?
Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca, 3.7 miles in a straight line from Utica’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Utica have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 14.3% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.5–17.4%), 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 Utica 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 Utica.
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.