On CDC estimates, Harrisburg is healthier than 92% of U.S. towns
Harrisburg differs from South Dakota on 16 of 26 measures CDC estimates: 13 better, 3 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Harrisburg. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Harrisburg
Binge drinking is the habit Harrisburg doesn’t win on
25.1% of adults binge drink, vs 18.8% across South Dakota, even though more of them exercise. Habits ↓
Heart disease and stroke are less common in Harrisburg
Harrisburg runs below South Dakota on eight chronic conditions, most of all heart disease (2.7% vs 6.8%), stroke (1.5% vs 3.5%) and diabetes (5.4% vs 11.7%). A young population is part of it: only 4% of residents are 65 or older (South Dakota 18%). Conditions ↓
Harrisburg ranks #3 for health in South Dakota
Out of 35 South Dakota towns with a Health Grade, Harrisburg is #3 on the seven CDC estimates behind it. Nationally it’s healthier than 92% of towns. Health Grade ↓
Harrisburg is an active town
Only 14.8% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 24.1% across South Dakota. Habits ↓
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 Dakota figure falls outside Harrisburg’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B+ to A+.
What’s behind Harrisburg’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Harrisburg is healthier than 92% of U.S. towns, #3 of 35 in South Dakota. All seven estimates beat the typical U.S. town. The strongest is physical distress (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than almost every town); the weakest is obesity, still better than 62%.
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). Harrisburg’s median household income is $108,724; among the 7,331 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($82K–$136K), it’s healthier than 91%, about where its income would put it.
Everyday habits, side by side with South Dakota
Share of adults, with the South Dakota figure marked.
0.6 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
Out of every 100 Harrisburg adults…
Harrisburg runs below SD on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 4% of Harrisburg residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across South Dakota. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Harrisburg
No hospital or community health center in Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg; ≈ 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 Harrisburg adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Dakota.
How Harrisburg adults are doing
About the same as South Dakota on each measure.
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.
Harrisburg and the towns around it
Harrisburg’s Health Grade ranks 2nd of 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | A | 34.5% | 5.4% | 11.7% | CDC place |
| Springdale Township | A | 34.3% | 7.5% | 11.2% | ZIP codes |
| Delapre Township | A | 35.7% | 8.1% | 12.4% | ZIP codes |
| La Valley Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Dayton Township | — | — | — | — |
La Valley Township: fewer than 1,000 residents. Dayton Township: not graded. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Harrisburg adults live with a disability (South Dakota 30.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Harrisburg
Share of adults, 33 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 26 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Harrisburg is better than South Dakota on 13 and worse on 3; on the rest, the South Dakota figure falls inside Harrisburg’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Harrisburg | SD | U.S. | vs SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 10.1%8.1–12.6 | 17.3% | 19.4% | Better |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 8.1%6.8–9.7 | 12.3% | 13% | Better |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.4%13–17.9 | 15.3% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 34.5%29.7–39.5 | 35.9% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 5.4%4.6–6.4 | 11.7% | 12% | Better |
| High blood pressure | 20.5%18.1–23.2 | 33.3% | 34.4% | Better |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 24.2%21.5–27 | 34% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 14.7%12.9–16.7 | 25.8% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 9.7%8.5–11 | 10.1% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.3%4.8–5.9 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.7%2.4–3.1 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 3.2%2.6–4 | 6.7% | 6.3% | Better |
| Stroke | 1.5%1.3–1.8 | 3.5% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 5.4%4.4–6.7 | 12.7% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 11.7%8.5–15.2 | 15.2% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 14.8%11.8–18.4 | 24.1% | 24.7% | Better |
| Binge drinking | 25.1%21.7–28.7 | 18.8% | 15.4% | Worse |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 29.7%26.2–33.5 | 29.7% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 6.8%4.9–9.2 | 8.8% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 72.8%68.9–76.3 | 76.5% | 77.4% | Worse |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 71%68.1–73.7 | 69.2% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.8%79.4–85.7 | 84.8% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 63%59–66.8 | 75.9% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 63.8%60–67.4 | 65.5% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 82.8%78.2–86.9 | 76.6% | 76.4% | Better |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 21.7%18.6–24.9 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 20%16.5–23.9 | 30.1% | 30.1% | Lower |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 5.6%4.6–6.9 | 12.9% | 13.6% | Lower |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 12.1%9.7–14.8 | 13.7% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 4.1%3.5–4.7 | 8.2% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 2.4%2–2.9 | 4.7% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 5.1%4.1–6.3 | 7.8% | 7.9% | Lower |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 1.8%1.4–2.1 | 3.5% | 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 Dakota figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Harrisburg
Is Harrisburg a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Harrisburg is healthier than 92% of U.S. towns: A for health, #3 of 35 in South Dakota. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 91%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Harrisburg?
CDC estimates 34.5% of adults have obesity, likely between 29.7% and 39.5%, against 35.9% across South Dakota and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Harrisburg?
Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, 7.0 miles in a straight line from Harrisburg’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Harrisburg have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 6.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 4.9–9.2%), against 8.8% across South Dakota.
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 Harrisburg more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B+ to A+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Harrisburg.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The South Dakota 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.