Photo: Texasfebruary2008_004.jpg: Bernardino Trevilla Langer CzechStopFFF2010_4kpx.jpg: Lm13700 Aerial_view_of_town_of_West,_TX_looking_northeast.jpg: HuecoBear derivative work: Jayb · CC BY-SA 3.0Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, West is healthier than 61%
West differs from Texas on 9 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 5 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for West. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in West
Cancer, COPD and arthritis run high in West
1 in 11 adults have had cancer (9.2%), vs 6.1% across Texas. 1 in 12 adults have COPD (8.2%), vs 5.7% across Texas. Arthritis is also above the state: 28.7%, vs 21.6% across Texas. In all, West runs above Texas on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
West is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, West is healthier than 41%. Against the 9,370 towns with similar household incomes ($46K–$77K), it’s healthier than 61%. Health Grade ↓
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 West’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to A−.
What’s behind West’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, West is healthier than 41% of U.S. towns, #287 of 641 in Texas. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 70% of U.S. towns); fair or poor health pulls it down (better than 29%).
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). West’s median household income is $61,875; among the 9,370 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($46K–$77K), it’s healthier than 61%, more than its income alone would suggest.
Out of every 100 West adults…
West runs above TX on 5 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near West
No hospital or community health center in West 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 West; ≈ 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.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of West adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
How West adults are doing
About the same as Texas on each measure.
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.
14.3% of West adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
West and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West | C+ | 33.3% | 12.5% | 14.6% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of West adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for West
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, West is better than Texas on 4 and worse on 5; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside West’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | West | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 22.2%18.7–26 | 21.8% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.1%13.1–17.3 | 13.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18%15.8–20.3 | 16.9% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 33.3%25.8–41 | 35.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 12.5%10.7–14.4 | 12.7% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 36.9%32.4–41 | 33.1% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 36.6%32.3–40.9 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 28.7%25.2–32.1 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.7%9.4–12.1 | 9.5% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.2%8.1–10.2 | 6.1% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.3%6.4–8.3 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 8.2%6.8–9.7 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4%3.5–4.6 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 13.5%10.9–16.5 | 12.5% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.6%11.9–17.3 | 12.5% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 27.8%22.9–32.8 | 27.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 16.3%13.3–19.6 | 17% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 36.7%30.4–43.6 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 13.7%11.1–16.8 | 19.1% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 75.6%71.6–79.3 | 73.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 54.3%50.7–58 | 54.6% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 86%83.6–88 | 84.6% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.3%75.4–81 | 74.1% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 63.7%58.8–68.6 | 57.9% | 65.5% | Better |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 72.4%64.4–79.9 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 24.8%21.1–28.6 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 28.7%25–32.5 | 28.4% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 17.7%15.9–19.5 | 19.3% | 15% | About the same |
| Worried about keeping housing | 14.4%12.7–16.1 | 16.4% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 9.7%8.5–10.8 | 10.7% | 7.6% | About the same |
| Lack reliable transportation | 9.7%8.7–10.6 | 10.5% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 14.3%12.7–15.9 | 14.6% | 11.6% | About the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 34.5%29.8–39.3 | 30.9% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 17%14.3–19.9 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 15.9%13.7–18.3 | 15.1% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.5%7.4–9.7 | 6.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 5.7%4.9–6.6 | 6.1% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.7%8.2–11.3 | 8.2% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.3%3.7–5.1 | 4% | 3.8% | About the same |
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 West
Is West a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, West is healthier than 41% of U.S. towns: ≈ C+ for health, #287 of 641 in Texas. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in West?
CDC estimates 33.3% of adults have obesity, likely between 25.8% and 41%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to West?
Hill Regional Hospital in Hillsboro, 15.3 miles in a straight line from West’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 1 of 5 stars.
How many people in West have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 13.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.1–16.8%), 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 West more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to A−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in West.
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.