Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0Within Tennessee, Knoxville is healthier than 60% of graded towns
Knoxville differs from Tennessee on 13 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 9 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Knoxville. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Knoxville
Knoxville is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Knoxville is healthier than 27%. Against the 7,135 towns with similar household incomes ($41K–$68K), it’s healthier than 53%. Health Grade ↓
Knoxville looks healthier next to Tennessee than next to the country
It’s healthier than 60% of the 176 Tennessee towns we grade, but 27% of towns nationwide. Much of Tennessee scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
Depression is more common in Knoxville
1 in 3 adults have been diagnosed with depression (32.4%), vs 28.4% across Tennessee. Frequent mental distress is above the state too: 22%, vs 19.3% across Tennessee. Mind & connection ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Knoxville
1 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (20.1%), vs 16.2% across Tennessee. No reliable transportation (11.8% vs 8.9%) is higher too. 20% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.3% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Knoxville has three hospitals within its borders
3 hospitals and 1 community health center are inside Knoxville. University Health System is rated 4 of 5 stars by Medicare and has an emergency room. Getting care ↓
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 Knoxville’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B−.
What’s behind Knoxville’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Knoxville is healthier than 27% of U.S. towns, #71 of 176 in Tennessee. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 51% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 2%).
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). Knoxville’s median household income is $54,039; among the 7,135 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($41K–$68K), it’s healthier than 53%, about where its income would put it.
Where Knoxville compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 7.1% (U.S. 7.9%).
At 202,021 residents, Knoxville is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
How Knoxville adults are doing
On 2 of 3 measures, Knoxville runs above Tennessee.
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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
20% of Knoxville adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Tennessee.
Care in and near Knoxville
3 hospitals and 1 community health center in Knoxville, 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 Knoxville; ≈ 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).
Out of every 100 Knoxville adults…
Knoxville runs below TN on 4 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Tennessee
Share of adults, with the Tennessee figure marked.
91 miles of trails across 93 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Knoxville adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Tennessee.
Knoxville and the towns around it
Knoxville’s Health Grade ranks 5th of 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | C | 36% | 12.6% | 17.8% | CDC place |
| Powell | B− | 33.1% | 12% | 15.6% | CDC place |
| Alcoa | C− | 38.4% | 13.8% | 17.6% | CDC place |
| John Sevier | C+ | 35% | 12.5% | 16.6% | CDC place |
| Farragut | A | 28.6% | 11.6% | 9.6% | CDC place |
| Rockford | — | — | — | — | |
| Halls | B− | 33% | 13.7% | 15.3% | CDC place |
Rockford: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Knoxville adults live with a disability (Tennessee 35.8%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Knoxville
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Knoxville is better than Tennessee on 4 and worse on 9; on the rest, the Tennessee figure falls inside Knoxville’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Knoxville | TN | U.S. | vs TN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 23.5%21.2–25.9 | 22.4% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.8%13.2–16.4 | 14.9% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 22%19.8–24.2 | 19.3% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 36%31.4–40.7 | 37.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 12.6%11.1–14.1 | 13.6% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 36.5%33.4–39.6 | 39.5% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34.3%31.2–37.5 | 38.3% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 27.3%24.8–29.8 | 30.6% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 11.4%10.1–12.8 | 11% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.1%6.4–7.7 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.2%5.6–6.8 | 7% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 8.4%7.6–9.2 | 8.6% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.5%3.2–3.7 | 3.7% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 16.7%13.8–19.9 | 14.6% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 17.8%15.7–19.9 | 17.3% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 27.2%23.9–30.6 | 26.6% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.8%13.4–18.5 | 14.6% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 37%32.2–41.9 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 12.9%11.3–14.5 | 11.6% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 76.6%73.3–79.6 | 78.1% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 54.2%50.8–57.5 | 58.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.4%80.4–84.3 | 86.6% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 72.1%69.5–74.5 | 76.2% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 65.4%60.6–69.8 | 63.2% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 75%67.6–81.3 | 75.2% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 32.4%28.9–35.9 | 28.4% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 28.4%25.1–31.7 | 27.2% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 20.1%18.4–22 | 16.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 15.3%13.8–17 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 10.9%9.7–12.2 | 9.1% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 11.8%10.8–12.9 | 8.9% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 20%18.2–22 | 14.3% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 37.2%33.7–40.7 | 35.8% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 15.6%14–17.3 | 16.3% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.7%18.8–22.7 | 17.4% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.1%6.3–7.9 | 7.6% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 6.5%6–7 | 5.5% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.3%10.2–12.4 | 9.5% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.4%4.1–4.7 | 4.1% | 3.8% | About the same |
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 Knoxville
Is Knoxville a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Knoxville is healthier than 27% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #71 of 176 in Tennessee. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 53%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Knoxville?
CDC estimates 36% of adults have obesity, likely between 31.4% and 40.7%, against 37.6% across Tennessee and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Knoxville?
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, 1.2 miles in a straight line from Knoxville’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Knoxville have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 12.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.3–14.5%), 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville.
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.