Where El Refugio residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for El Refugio, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for El Refugio. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in El Refugio
Dental care lags in El Refugio
38.4% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 54.6% across Texas. Among those 65 and older, 24.6% have lost all their teeth (Texas 12.5%). El Refugio’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
More El Refugio adults get no exercise
46.3% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 27.8% across Texas. Habits ↓
Making ends meet is harder in El Refugio
2 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (42.4%), about twice the Texas rate. No reliable transportation (19.9% vs 10.5%) and housing insecurity (28.5% vs 16.4%) are higher too. 35.6% 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 El Refugio’s likely range.
Keeping up with care
Share of El Refugio 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.
1.1 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
35.6% of El Refugio adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Out of every 100 El Refugio adults…
El Refugio runs below TX on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 7. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near El Refugio
No hospital or community health center in El Refugio 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 El Refugio; ≈ 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 El Refugio adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, El Refugio 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.
El Refugio 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Puerta | — | — | — | — | |
| Garza-Salinas II | — | — | — | — |
La Puerta and Garza-Salinas II: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of El Refugio adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in El Refugio
Why doesn’t El Refugio have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for El Refugio.
What hospital is closest to El Refugio?
Starr County Memorial Hospital in Rio Grande City, 6.7 miles in a straight line from El Refugio’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 El Refugio?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Nuestra Clinica Del Valle - Rio Grande City in Rio Grande City, 4.5 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in El Refugio.
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. 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.