Where Watauga residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Watauga, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Watauga. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Watauga
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Watauga
1 in 7 adults have COPD (14.5%), vs 8.6% across Tennessee. 1 in 9 adults have heart disease (11%), vs 7% across Tennessee. Stroke is also above the state: 5.5%, vs 3.7% across Tennessee. In all, Watauga runs above Tennessee on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Watauga
51.2% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 58.1% across Tennessee. Among those 65 and older, 27.9% have lost all their teeth (Tennessee 14.6%). Checkups ↓
More Watauga adults get no exercise
1 in 3 adults get no exercise outside work (35.4%), vs 26.6% across Tennessee. 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 Tennessee figure falls outside Watauga’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Watauga adults…
Watauga runs above TN on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Watauga adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Tennessee.
Everyday habits, side by side with Tennessee
Share of adults, with the Tennessee figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Care in and near Watauga
No hospital or community health center in Watauga 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 Watauga; ≈ 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).
How Watauga 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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
18.4% of Watauga adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Tennessee.
Watauga and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City | C | 36.2% | 12.7% | 17.4% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Watauga adults live with a disability (Tennessee 35.8%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Watauga
Why doesn’t Watauga have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Watauga.
What hospital is closest to Watauga?
Sycamore Shoals Hospital in Elizabethton, 2.9 miles in a straight line from Watauga’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Watauga?
3 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Johnson City Downtown Day Center in Johnson City, 5.0 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Watauga.
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. 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.