Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Center is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns
Center differs from Texas on 23 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 21 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Center. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Center
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Center
1 in 10 adults have COPD (10.5%), vs 5.7% across Texas. 1 in 19 adults have had a stroke (5.4%), vs 3.2% across Texas. Heart disease is also above the state: 8.5%, vs 5.6% across Texas. In all, Center runs above Texas on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Center is in the bottom 3% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Center is healthier than only 3% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
Dental care lags in Center
43.4% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 54.6% across Texas. Among those 65 and older, 23.6% have lost all their teeth (Texas 12.5%). Checkups ↓
More high blood pressure in Center, and more people treating it
44.1% of adults have high blood pressure (Texas 33.1%), but 78.2% 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 Center’s likely range.
What’s behind Center’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Center is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns, #618 of 641 in Texas. All seven of Center’s estimates fall in the lowest 10% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is no exercise: 40.3% of adults, against 27.8% across Texas and 24.7% 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). Center’s median household income is $48,293; among the 5,122 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($36K–$60K), it’s healthier than 6%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Out of every 100 Center adults…
Center runs above TX on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Center adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Care in and near Center
1 community health center in Center, 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 Center; ≈ 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.
1 mile of trails across 2 parks and preserves
How Center adults are doing
On 2 of 3 measures, Center 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.
28.2% of Center adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Center and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center | D− | 44.1% | 18.8% | 19.9% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Center adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Center
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Center is better than Texas on 2 and worse on 21; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Center’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Center | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 33.5%29.6–37.4 | 21.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.1%16–20.5 | 13.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.1%17.9–22.5 | 16.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 44.1%35.4–53.4 | 35.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 18.8%16.6–21.3 | 12.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 44.1%39.8–48.6 | 33.1% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.8%34.3–43.6 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 28.6%25.4–32 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.3%10–12.8 | 9.5% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.5%5.9–7.2 | 6.1% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.5%7.6–9.5 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.5%9.2–11.8 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.4%4.9–5.9 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 23.6%19.8–28 | 12.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 19.9%17.2–22.8 | 12.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 40.3%34.7–46.3 | 27.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 13.4%10.9–16.4 | 17% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 42.8%34.8–50.8 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 23.1%20–26 | 19.1% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 76%72.3–79.8 | 73.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 43.4%39.6–47.4 | 54.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.2%80.2–84.1 | 84.6% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.2%75.8–80.6 | 74.1% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 55.9%50–61.6 | 57.9% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 69.9%60.8–78.1 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22.3%19–26.2 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 32.8%28.6–37.1 | 28.4% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 30.5%27.9–33.1 | 19.3% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 23.6%21.3–26 | 16.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 16.8%15–18.6 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 15.7%14.3–17 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 28.2%25.7–30.7 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 42%37–47.3 | 30.9% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 22.9%20.3–25.8 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.2%17.8–22.6 | 15.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.4%7.5–9.5 | 6.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 10.3%9.3–11.3 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13.6%12.1–15.3 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7.4%6.7–8.2 | 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 Center
Is Center a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Center is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #618 of 641 in Texas. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 6%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Center?
CDC estimates 44.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 35.4% and 53.4%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Center?
UT Health East Texas Carthage Hospital in Carthage, 27.6 miles in a straight line from Center’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
How many people in Center have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 23.1% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 20–26%), 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 Center more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Center.
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.