Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Athens is healthier than 32% of U.S. towns
Athens differs from Texas on 10 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 9 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Athens. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Athens
COPD, cancer and heart disease run high in Athens
1 in 13 adults have COPD (7.5%), vs 5.7% across Texas. 1 in 13 adults have had cancer (7.8%), vs 6.1% across Texas. Heart disease is also above the state: 7%, vs 5.6% across Texas. In all, Athens runs above Texas on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Athens, and more people treating it
37.6% of adults have high blood pressure (Texas 33.1%), but 77.3% of them take medicine for it, vs 74.1% 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 Texas figure falls outside Athens’ likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B.
What’s behind Athens’ grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Athens is healthier than 32% of U.S. towns, #345 of 641 in Texas. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 57% of U.S. towns); fair or poor health pulls it down (better than 18%).
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). Athens’ median household income is $67,984; among the 10,332 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($51K–$85K), it’s healthier than 39%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Out of every 100 Athens adults…
Athens runs above TX on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Athens adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Care in and near Athens
1 hospital and 2 community health centers in Athens, 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 Athens; ≈ 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.
3 miles of trails across 9 parks and preserves
How Athens adults are doing
About the same as Texas 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.
19.5% of Athens adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Athens and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | C | 35.2% | 13.8% | 14.4% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Athens adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Athens
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Athens is better than Texas on 1 and worse on 9; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Athens’ likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Athens | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 24.5%21.6–27.7 | 21.8% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.9%13.1–16.8 | 13.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18%16–20.1 | 16.9% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 35.2%27.4–43.6 | 35.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 13.8%12–15.7 | 12.7% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 37.6%33.5–41.9 | 33.1% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 36.4%32.1–40.9 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 26.4%23.3–29.6 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.4%9.2–11.7 | 9.5% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.8%7.1–8.6 | 6.1% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 7%6.3–7.9 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 7.5%6.6–8.5 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4%3.7–4.4 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 13.8%11.4–16.3 | 12.5% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.4%12.5–16.5 | 12.5% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 30.7%26.1–35.8 | 27.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.7%12.8–18.8 | 17% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 38.3%31.4–45.7 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 19.1%16.8–21.3 | 19.1% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 75.7%71.8–79.3 | 73.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 51.8%48.1–55.4 | 54.6% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.5%82.5–86.3 | 84.6% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 77.3%74.7–79.8 | 74.1% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 59.9%54.7–64.9 | 57.9% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 72.2%64.1–79.5 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22.5%19.1–26.2 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 29.3%25.7–33.3 | 28.4% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 22.7%20.9–24.7 | 19.3% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 17.9%16.2–19.8 | 16.4% | 12% | About the same |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 12.3%11.1–13.7 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 12.4%11.4–13.5 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 19.5%17.8–21.1 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 35.8%31.5–40.5 | 30.9% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 17.2%15–19.6 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 16.6%14.8–18.5 | 15.1% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.8%6.9–8.7 | 6.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 7%6.3–7.7 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 10%8.9–11.2 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.9%4.4–5.4 | 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 Athens
Is Athens a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Athens is healthier than 32% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #345 of 641 in Texas. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 39%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Athens?
CDC estimates 35.2% of adults have obesity, likely between 27.4% and 43.6%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Athens?
UT Health East Texas Athens Hospital in Athens, 2.3 miles in a straight line from Athens’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Athens have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 19.1% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 16.8–21.3%), 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 Athens 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 Athens.
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.