Stephen Decatur Lawrence Farmstead · Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Mesquite as a whole is healthier than 30% of U.S. towns
Mesquite differs from Texas on 11 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 10 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Mesquite. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Mesquite
Making ends meet is harder in Mesquite
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (25.2%), vs 19.3% across Texas. Utility shut-off threats (14.2% vs 10.7%) and housing insecurity (21% vs 16.4%) are higher too. 19.4% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.6% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
More Mesquite adults get no exercise
1 in 3 adults get no exercise outside work (33.2%), vs 27.8% across Texas. There are 20 miles of trails across 51 parks and preserves in town, a place to start. Habits ↓
Health varies a lot right around Mesquite
Grades next door run from Sunnyvale (A) to Seagoville (D). Mesquite is a C. Around town ↓
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 Mesquite’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B.
What’s behind Mesquite’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Mesquite is healthier than 30% of U.S. towns, #362 of 641 in Texas. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 56% of U.S. towns); no exercise pulls it down (better than 12%).
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). Mesquite’s median household income is $72,537; among the 10,699 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($54K–$91K), it’s healthier than 29%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Mesquite compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.3% (U.S. 7.9%).
At 150,693 residents, Mesquite is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
19.4% of Mesquite adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Everyday habits, side by side with Texas
Share of adults, with the Texas figure marked.
20 miles of trails across 51 parks and preserves
Mesquite and the towns around it
Mesquite’s Health Grade ranks 5th of 7 graded towns around it.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesquite | C | 37.8% | 12.9% | 14.2% | CDC place |
| Dallas | C+ | 36.8% | 12.4% | 13% | CDC place |
| Balch Springs | C | 38.4% | 12.6% | 14.3% | CDC place |
| Garland | C+ | 34.7% | 13% | 13.1% | CDC place |
| Sunnyvale | A | 27.3% | 10.4% | 8.5% | CDC place |
| Seagoville | D | 40.1% | 13.6% | 17.8% | CDC place |
| Heartland | C+ | 41.3% | 10.3% | 15.4% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Out of every 100 Mesquite adults…
Mesquite runs below TX on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 11% of Mesquite residents are 65 or older, vs 13% across Texas. Cancer run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Mesquite
1 hospital and 1 community health center in Mesquite, 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 Mesquite; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Mesquite adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
How Mesquite adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Mesquite 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Mesquite adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Mesquite
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Mesquite is better than Texas on 1 and worse on 10; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Mesquite’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Mesquite | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 25%22.6–27.4 | 21.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.9%12.4–15.5 | 13.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.7%16.8–20.6 | 16.9% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 37.8%33.6–42.4 | 35.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 12.9%11.4–14.4 | 12.7% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 34%31.2–37 | 33.1% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 36%33.1–39.2 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 20.5%18.5–22.7 | 21.6% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 10.4%9.3–11.6 | 9.5% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.3%4.8–5.8 | 6.1% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.5%5–6.1 | 5.6% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 6.3%5.7–7 | 5.7% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.4%3.2–3.7 | 3.2% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 15.8%13.2–18.6 | 12.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.2%12.5–16 | 12.5% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 33.2%29.7–36.8 | 27.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 16.5%14.3–19.1 | 17% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 37%33.5–40.6 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 23.4%21.2–25.7 | 19.1% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 74.9%71.9–77.8 | 73.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 50.5%47.5–53.4 | 54.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.2%81.5–85 | 84.6% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 73.6%70.9–76.3 | 74.1% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 57.4%53.3–61.4 | 57.9% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 72.3%65.9–77.9 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 20.4%18–23.1 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 31.6%28.6–34.7 | 28.4% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 25.2%23.2–27.3 | 19.3% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 21%19.2–23.1 | 16.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 14.2%12.7–15.7 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 13.4%12.3–14.7 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 19.4%17.7–21.3 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 32.3%29.1–35.6 | 30.9% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 15.2%13.6–16.9 | 14% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.1%15.4–18.8 | 15.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6%5.3–6.6 | 6.3% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 7.2%6.6–7.8 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.7%8.7–10.6 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.8%4.4–5.2 | 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 Mesquite
Is Mesquite a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Mesquite is healthier than 30% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #362 of 641 in Texas. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 29%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Mesquite?
CDC estimates 37.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 33.6% and 42.4%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Mesquite?
Dallas Regional Medical Center in Mesquite, 1.6 miles in a straight line from Mesquite’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Mesquite have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 23.4% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 21.2–25.7%), 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 Mesquite 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 Mesquite.
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.