Temple Commercial Historic District · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On CDC estimates, Temple is healthier than 22% of U.S. towns
Temple differs from Texas on 12 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 10 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Temple. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Temple
COPD, arthritis and stroke run high in Temple
1 in 14 adults have COPD (7.4%), vs 5.7% across Texas. 1 in 4 adults have arthritis (26.4%), vs 21.6% across Texas. Stroke is also above the state: 3.9%, vs 3.2% across Texas. In all, Temple runs above Texas on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Temple has a five-star hospital
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple is rated 5 of 5 stars by Medicare and has an emergency room. Getting care ↓
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 Temple’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B−.
What’s behind Temple’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Temple is healthier than 22% of U.S. towns, #426 of 641 in Texas. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 58% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 8%).
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). Temple’s median household income is $68,204; among the 10,352 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($51K–$85K), it’s healthier than 23%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Out of every 100 Temple adults…
Temple runs above TX on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Temple
2 hospitals and 1 community health center in Temple, 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 Temple; ≈ 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.
18 miles of trails across 40 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Temple adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
How Temple adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Temple 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.
17.4% of Temple adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Temple and the towns around it
Temple’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple | C− | 42.8% | 14.2% | 14% | CDC place |
| Belton | C | 40.8% | 11.7% | 13.2% | CDC place |
| Morgan's Point Resort | B+ | 37.8% | 11% | 10.7% | CDC place |
| Pendleton | — | — | — | — |
Pendleton: 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 Temple adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Temple
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Temple is better than Texas on 2 and worse on 10; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Temple’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Temple | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 24.1%21.6–26.6 | 21.8% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15%13.3–16.6 | 13.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.5%16.6–20.6 | 16.9% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 42.8%37.9–47.9 | 35.6% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 14.2%12.6–15.9 | 12.7% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 35.7%32.5–38.9 | 33.1% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34%30.7–37.4 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 26.4%23.9–29.1 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.8%9.6–12.1 | 9.5% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.2%6.6–7.9 | 6.1% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.8%6.1–7.4 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 7.4%6.7–8.2 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 3.9%3.6–4.1 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 17.5%14.8–20.6 | 12.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14%12.3–15.9 | 12.5% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 30.9%27.3–34.5 | 27.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 14.6%12.4–17.1 | 17% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 41.5%37.1–46.2 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 16.5%14.8–18.4 | 19.1% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 76.6%73.5–79.5 | 73.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 54.5%51.3–57.7 | 54.6% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.7%82.9–86.3 | 84.6% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 75.5%72.8–78 | 74.1% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62.9%58.5–67.3 | 57.9% | 65.5% | Better |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.7%68.1–80.8 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 25.4%22.3–28.6 | 21.2% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 27.5%24.6–30.6 | 28.4% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 20%18.4–21.8 | 19.3% | 15% | About the same |
| Worried about keeping housing | 16.9%15.3–18.6 | 16.4% | 12% | About the same |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 11.7%10.5–12.9 | 10.7% | 7.6% | About the same |
| Lack reliable transportation | 11.1%10.2–12.1 | 10.5% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 17.4%15.9–19 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 36.3%32.7–39.8 | 30.9% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 17%15.2–18.8 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 16.9%15.2–18.8 | 15.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.4%6.6–8.2 | 6.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 6.7%6.2–7.3 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.8%8.8–10.8 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.8%4.5–5.2 | 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 Temple
Is Temple a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Temple is healthier than 22% of U.S. towns: ≈ C− for health, #426 of 641 in Texas. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 23%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Temple?
CDC estimates 42.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 37.9% and 47.9%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Temple?
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple in Temple, 2.3 miles in a straight line from Temple’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
How many people in Temple have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 16.5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 14.8–18.4%), 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 Temple 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 Temple.
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.