Cactus’ CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Cactus differs from Texas on 27 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 3 better, 24 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Cactus. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Cactus
Dental care lags in Cactus
31% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 54.6% across Texas. Among those 65 and older, 27.5% have lost all their teeth (Texas 12.5%). Checkups ↓
More Cactus adults get no exercise
1 in 2 adults get no exercise outside work (49.9%), vs 27.8% across Texas. Habits ↓
Smoking is more common in Cactus
1 in 4 adults smoke cigarettes (23.9%), about twice the Texas rate. 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 Texas figure falls outside Cactus’ likely range.
What’s behind Cactus’ grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Cactus is near the bottom of U.S. towns. All seven of Cactus’ estimates fall in the lowest 5% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is fair or poor health: 44.4% of adults, against 21.8% across Texas and 19.4% 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). Cactus’ median household income is $45,346; among the 4,141 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($34K–$57K), it’s healthier than 1%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Cactus compares well: arthritis, 19.1% (U.S. 25.3%); cancer, other than skin cancer, 2.9% (U.S. 7.9%).
Keeping up with care
Share of Cactus adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Everyday habits, side by side with Texas
Share of adults, with the Texas figure marked.
0.5 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Out of every 100 Cactus adults…
Cactus runs below TX on 2 of 12 conditions and above it on 7. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 6% of Cactus residents are 65 or older, vs 13% across Texas. Arthritis and cancer run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Cactus
No hospital or community health center in Cactus 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 Cactus; ≈ 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 Cactus adults are doing
On 2 of 3 measures, Cactus 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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
35.1% of Cactus adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Cactus and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cactus | D− | 44.4% | 18.8% | 23.9% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Cactus adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Cactus
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Cactus is better than Texas on 3 and worse on 24; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Cactus’ likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Cactus | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 44.4%40.9–47.7 | 21.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.7%19.1–22.3 | 13.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 22.2%20.6–23.6 | 16.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 44.4%40.7–48.2 | 35.6% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 18.8%17.5–20.1 | 12.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 36.3%34.2–38.3 | 33.1% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 35.1%33–37.2 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 19.1%17.8–20.4 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 10%9.2–10.7 | 9.5% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 2.9%2.7–3.1 | 6.1% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.9%6.3–7.5 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 8.1%7.3–9 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.1%3.8–4.5 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 27.5%22.8–32.8 | 12.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 23.9%21.6–26 | 12.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 49.9%46.4–53.1 | 27.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 15%13.7–16.5 | 17% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.6%35.9–51.5 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 47%42.1–51.5 | 19.1% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 66.5%64.1–69 | 73.8% | 77.4% | Worse |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 31%27.7–34.5 | 54.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 71.7%69.1–74.1 | 84.6% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 67.3%65.3–69.3 | 74.1% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 40.7%35.1–46.4 | 57.9% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 61.7%51.6–70.8 | 74.1% | 76.4% | Worse |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 21%19.2–22.7 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 39.5%35.2–44 | 28.4% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 42.3%39.3–45.3 | 19.3% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 31.9%29.1–34.9 | 16.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 20.4%18.3–22.6 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 20.6%18.8–22.3 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 35.1%32.3–38 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 48.3%44.8–51.4 | 30.9% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 23%21–24.9 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 27.2%24.8–29.5 | 15.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.7%7–8.3 | 6.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 15.1%13.7–16.4 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 15.7%14.2–17.1 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 9.1%8.2–9.9 | 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 Cactus
Is Cactus a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Cactus is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 1%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Cactus?
CDC estimates 44.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 40.7% and 48.2%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Cactus?
Memorial Hospital in Dumas, 12.6 miles in a straight line from Cactus’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Cactus have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 47% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 42.1–51.5%), 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 Cactus more than anything measured there. Even at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade stays D−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Cactus.
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.