Photo: Carl Wycoff from Nevada, USA · CC BY 2.0On CDC estimates, Covington is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
Covington differs from Tennessee on 20 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 18 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Covington. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Covington
Covington is in the bottom 3% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Covington is healthier than only 3% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Covington
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (26.4%), vs 16.2% across Tennessee. Utility shut-off threats (14.8% vs 9.1%) and no reliable transportation (13.6% vs 8.9%) are higher too. 26.6% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.3% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Covington
47.7% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 58.1% across Tennessee. Among those 65 and older, 23.1% have lost all their teeth (Tennessee 14.6%). Checkups ↓
More high blood pressure in Covington, and more people treating it
48.7% of adults have high blood pressure (Tennessee 39.5%), but 78.9% of them take medicine for it, vs 76.2% statewide. 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 Tennessee figure falls outside Covington’s likely range.
What’s behind Covington’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Covington is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns, #168 of 176 in Tennessee. All seven of Covington’s estimates fall in the lowest 9% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is obesity: 49% of adults, against 37.6% across Tennessee and 32.9% nationally.
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). Covington’s median household income is $42,254; among the 3,115 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($32K–$53K), it’s healthier than 11%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Covington compares well: binge drinking, 11.2% (U.S. 15.4%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
26.6% of Covington adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Tennessee.
Keeping up with care
Share of Covington adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Tennessee.
Out of every 100 Covington adults…
Covington runs above TN on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Covington
1 hospital in Covington, 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 Covington; ≈ 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 Tennessee
Share of adults, with the Tennessee figure marked.
6.5 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Covington adults are doing
About the same as Tennessee 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.
Covington and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covington | D− | 49% | 18.4% | 21.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Covington adults live with a disability (Tennessee 35.8%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Covington
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Covington is better than Tennessee on 2 and worse on 18; on the rest, the Tennessee figure falls inside Covington’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Covington | TN | U.S. | vs TN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 29.7%26.5–33.1 | 22.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.6%15.6–19.7 | 14.9% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.2%18.9–23.7 | 19.3% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 49%41–57 | 37.6% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 18.4%16.2–20.6 | 13.6% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 48.7%44.3–53.1 | 39.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 39.9%35.5–44.3 | 38.3% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 34.7%31.2–38.2 | 30.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.5%11–14 | 11% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.8%7–8.6 | 8.2% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.2%7.4–9.1 | 7% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.9%9.7–12.1 | 8.6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.1%4.7–5.6 | 3.7% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 23.1%19.4–27.6 | 14.6% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 21.3%18.6–24.2 | 17.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 34.6%29.6–39.8 | 26.6% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.2%9–13.5 | 14.6% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 46.3%40.1–54.1 | 38.2% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 13.3%11.2–15.4 | 11.6% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 80.7%77.2–83.7 | 78.1% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 47.7%44.1–52 | 58.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 86.3%84.3–87.9 | 86.6% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.9%76.3–81.2 | 76.2% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62.3%57.2–68 | 63.2% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 72.7%65.3–80.5 | 75.2% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27.5%23.7–31.6 | 28.4% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 30.6%26.5–34.7 | 27.2% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 26.4%23.9–28.9 | 16.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 20.3%18.2–22.6 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 14.8%13–16.6 | 9.1% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 13.6%12.4–14.9 | 8.9% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 26.6%24–29.2 | 14.3% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 42.8%38.1–47.7 | 35.8% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 22.3%19.9–24.9 | 16.3% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.3%18.2–22.7 | 17.4% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.2%7.3–9.1 | 7.6% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 8.2%7.5–8.9 | 5.5% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 12.9%11.5–14.3 | 9.5% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.2%5.6–6.7 | 4.1% | 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 Tennessee figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Covington
Is Covington a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Covington is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #168 of 176 in Tennessee. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 11%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Covington?
CDC estimates 49% of adults have obesity, likely between 41% and 57%, against 37.6% across Tennessee and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Covington?
Baptist Memorial Hospital Tipton in Covington, 2.7 miles in a straight line from Covington’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Covington have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 13.3% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.2–15.4%), against 11.6% across Tennessee.
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 Covington more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Covington.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Tennessee 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.