Photo: Patrick Feller from Humble, Texas, USA · CC BY 2.0On CDC estimates, Newton is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
Newton differs from Texas on 24 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 3 better, 21 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Newton. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Newton
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Newton
1 in 8 adults have COPD (13.2%), more than twice the Texas rate. 1 in 16 adults have had a stroke (6.4%), about twice the Texas rate. Heart disease is also above the state: 10.6%, vs 5.6% across Texas. In all, Newton runs above Texas on ten of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Newton
43.1% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 54.6% across Texas. Among those 65 and older, 24.4% have lost all their teeth (Texas 12.5%). Newton’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
Newton is in the bottom 2% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Newton is healthier than only 2% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
More high blood pressure in Newton, and more people treating it
47.4% of adults have high blood pressure (Texas 33.1%), but 81.5% 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 Newton’s likely range.
What’s behind Newton’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Newton is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns. All seven of Newton’s estimates fall in the lowest 6% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 19.5% 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). Newton’s median household income is $56,172; among the 7,779 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($42K–$70K), it’s healthier than 1%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Newton compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 81.5% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Newton adults…
Newton runs above TX on 11 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 13% of Newton residents are 65 or older, vs 13% across Texas. Age-related conditions run low partly because the town is young.
Keeping up with care
Share of Newton adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Care in and near Newton
No hospital or community health center in Newton 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 Newton; ≈ 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.
0.4 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Newton adults are doing
On 2 of 3 measures, Newton 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.
26.3% of Newton adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Newton and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | D− | 43.8% | 19.5% | 21.9% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Newton adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Newton
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Newton is better than Texas on 3 and worse on 21; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Newton’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Newton | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 32.6%28.8–36.6 | 21.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.6%17.4–21.9 | 13.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.8%18.6–23.1 | 16.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 43.8%35.2–52.5 | 35.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 19.5%17.1–21.9 | 12.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 47.4%43–51.5 | 33.1% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 41%36.5–45.4 | 35.1% | 37.1% | Worse |
| Arthritis | 34.7%31.1–38.2 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.1%10.7–13.5 | 9.5% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9%8.1–10 | 6.1% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 10.6%9.4–11.8 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 13.2%11.5–14.9 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.4%5.7–7 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 24.4%20.1–29.1 | 12.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 21.9%19–25.1 | 12.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 38.6%33.1–44.3 | 27.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 13%10.6–15.6 | 17% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 44.6%36.9–52.1 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 16.3%13.6–19.2 | 19.1% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.1%74.5–81.3 | 73.8% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 43.1%39.1–47 | 54.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.4%82.3–86.3 | 84.6% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 81.5%79–83.6 | 74.1% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 57.7%51.9–63 | 57.9% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 66.7%57.3–74.7 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 24.9%21.3–28.6 | 21.2% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 29.5%25.8–33.4 | 28.4% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 26.2%24–28.6 | 19.3% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 19.5%17.5–21.5 | 16.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 14.8%13.3–16.5 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 13.6%12.4–14.8 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 26.3%24–28.7 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 44.8%40–49.8 | 30.9% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 25.9%22.8–29 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.4%18–22.9 | 15.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.6%9.4–11.8 | 6.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 9.8%8.7–10.8 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 14.6%12.8–16.4 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7.7%6.9–8.6 | 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 Newton
Is Newton a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Newton is healthier than 2% 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 Newton?
CDC estimates 43.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 35.2% and 52.5%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Newton?
Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital in Jasper, 15.7 miles in a straight line from Newton’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Newton have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 16.3% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 13.6–19.2%), 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 Newton 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 Newton.
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.