Photo: Renegomezphotography · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Marlin is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
Marlin differs from Texas on 22 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 20 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Marlin. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Marlin
Dental care lags in Marlin
37% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 54.6% across Texas. Among those 65 and older, 37.7% have lost all their teeth (Texas 12.5%). Checkups ↓
COPD, stroke and diabetes run high in Marlin
1 in 9 adults have COPD (10.7%), about twice the Texas rate. 1 in 18 adults have had a stroke (5.7%), vs 3.2% across Texas. Diabetes is also above the state: 19.9%, vs 12.7% across Texas. In all, Marlin runs above Texas on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Marlin is in the bottom 2% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Marlin is healthier than only 2% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
More high blood pressure in Marlin, and more people treating it
45% of adults have high blood pressure (Texas 33.1%), but 79% 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 Marlin’s likely range.
What’s behind Marlin’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Marlin is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns, #631 of 641 in Texas. All seven of Marlin’s estimates fall in the lowest 8% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 19.9% 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). Marlin’s median household income is $36,426; among the 1,508 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($27K–$46K), it’s healthier than 13%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Keeping up with care
Share of Marlin adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Out of every 100 Marlin adults…
Marlin runs above TX on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Marlin
1 hospital in Marlin, 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 Marlin; ≈ 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.
0.5 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
How Marlin adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Marlin 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.
40.9% of Marlin adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Marlin and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlin | D− | 45.6% | 19.9% | 20.4% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Marlin adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Marlin
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Marlin is better than Texas on 2 and worse on 20; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Marlin’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Marlin | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 33.8%30–37.6 | 21.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.7%16.5–20.9 | 13.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.2%18.9–23.7 | 16.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 45.6%36.5–54.9 | 35.6% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 19.9%17.6–22.3 | 12.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 45%40.6–49.5 | 33.1% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.6%33.2–42.2 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 29.8%26.4–33.4 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.3%10.9–13.8 | 9.5% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.4%5.8–7 | 6.1% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.6%7.8–9.5 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.7%9.6–12 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.7%5.2–6.2 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 37.7%32.4–42.8 | 12.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 20.4%17.5–23.4 | 12.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 39.9%34.2–45.5 | 27.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.8%10.4–15.5 | 17% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 45.9%38.3–53.4 | 38.2% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 21.8%19–24.9 | 19.1% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 77.1%73.4–80.6 | 73.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 37%33.5–40.5 | 54.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.9%82–85.7 | 84.6% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79%76.4–81.3 | 74.1% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 53.3%47.6–58.9 | 57.9% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 67.1%57.8–75.3 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 23.8%20.2–27.7 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 32.4%28.1–36.5 | 28.4% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 38.4%35.5–41.2 | 19.3% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 29.1%26.3–31.8 | 16.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 22.2%20–24.5 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 19.7%18–21.3 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 40.9%38.1–43.6 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 42.9%37.8–48 | 30.9% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 24.1%21.4–26.8 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.6%18.3–23 | 15.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.1%7.2–9 | 6.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 10.8%9.8–11.9 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 14.3%12.8–16 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.1%7.3–8.9 | 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 Marlin
Is Marlin a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Marlin is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #631 of 641 in Texas. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 13%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Marlin?
CDC estimates 45.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 36.5% and 54.9%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Marlin?
Ascension Providence in Waco, 23.0 miles in a straight line from Marlin’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Marlin have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 21.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 19–24.9%), 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 Marlin 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 Marlin.
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.