Ames’ CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Ames differs from Texas on 24 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 3 better, 21 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Ames. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Ames
Stroke, COPD and diabetes run high in Ames
1 in 14 adults have had a stroke (6.9%), about twice the Texas rate. 1 in 9 adults have COPD (10.7%), about twice the Texas rate. Diabetes is also above the state: 23.6%, vs 12.7% across Texas. In all, Ames runs above Texas on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Ames
41.6% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 54.6% across Texas. Among those 65 and older, 29.2% have lost all their teeth (Texas 12.5%). Checkups ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Ames
2 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (42.3%), about twice the Texas rate. Utility shut-off threats (23.3% vs 10.7%) and housing insecurity (32.4% vs 16.4%) are higher too. 39.9% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.6% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Texas figure falls outside Ames’ likely range.
What’s behind Ames’ grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Ames is near the bottom of U.S. towns. All seven of Ames’ estimates fall in the lowest 10% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 23.6% of adults, against 12.7% across Texas and 12% 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). Ames’ median household income is $36,188; among the 1,462 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($27K–$45K), it’s healthier than 12%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Ames compares well: binge drinking, 11.6% (U.S. 15.4%); taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 81.7% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Ames adults…
Ames runs above TX on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Ames adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
39.9% of Ames adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Care in and near Ames
No hospital or community health center in Ames 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 Ames; ≈ 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 Texas
Share of adults, with the Texas figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Ames adults are doing
On 2 of 3 measures, Ames runs above Texas.
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.
Ames and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Ames adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Ames
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Ames is better than Texas on 3 and worse on 21; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Ames’ likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Ames | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 35.9%31.4–40.7 | 21.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.6%16.3–21.2 | 13.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.9%17.7–22.4 | 16.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 47.9%39.2–57.2 | 35.6% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 23.6%20.9–26.4 | 12.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 52.3%48–56.9 | 33.1% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 39.3%34.7–44.1 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 31.2%27.6–35 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.7%11.2–14.4 | 9.5% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.5%4.9–6.2 | 6.1% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.1%8–10.3 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.7%9.1–12.4 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.9%6.1–7.7 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 29.2%24.6–34 | 12.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 21.4%18–25 | 12.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 42%36.1–48.3 | 27.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.6%9.4–14.2 | 17% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 46.9%39.7–54.4 | 38.2% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 20%16.5–23.7 | 19.1% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.3%75.9–82.7 | 73.8% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 41.6%38.1–45.5 | 54.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85.4%83.3–87.4 | 84.6% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 81.7%79.3–84.1 | 74.1% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 58.9%53.6–64.3 | 57.9% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 76.8%69.1–83.5 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 19.1%16.1–22.6 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 41%36.4–45.5 | 28.4% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 42.3%39.1–45.4 | 19.3% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 32.4%29.4–35.4 | 16.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 23.3%20.9–25.7 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 20.6%18.8–22.4 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 39.9%36.8–43.1 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 43.8%38.5–49.4 | 30.9% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 26.6%23.1–30.3 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.8%17.2–22.5 | 15.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.1%6.3–8.1 | 6.3% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 11.1%9.7–12.7 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 14.2%12.3–16.3 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.9%7.6–10.3 | 4% | 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 Texas figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Ames
Is Ames a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Ames is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 12%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Ames?
CDC estimates 47.9% of adults have obesity, likely between 39.2% and 57.2%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Ames?
Liberty Dayton Regional Medical Center in Liberty, 4.0 miles in a straight line from Ames’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Ames have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 20% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 16.5–23.7%), against 19.1% across Texas.
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 Ames 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 Ames.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Texas 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.