Photo: Djmaschek · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Wharton is healthier than 11% of U.S. towns
Wharton differs from Texas on 19 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 18 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Wharton. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Wharton
Stroke, COPD and heart disease run high in Wharton
1 in 21 adults have had a stroke (4.8%), vs 3.2% across Texas. 1 in 12 adults have COPD (8.5%), vs 5.7% across Texas. Heart disease is also above the state: 8%, vs 5.6% across Texas. In all, Wharton runs above Texas on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Wharton
3 in 10 adults worry about having enough food (28.4%), vs 19.3% across Texas. Utility shut-off threats (15.3% vs 10.7%) and no reliable transportation (14.5% vs 10.5%) are higher too. 24% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.6% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Wharton
47.6% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 54.6% across Texas. Among those 65 and older, 21.5% have lost all their teeth (Texas 12.5%). 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 Wharton’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C+.
What’s behind Wharton’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Wharton is healthier than 11% of U.S. towns, #540 of 641 in Texas. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 39% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 5%).
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). Wharton’s median household income is $58,212; among the 8,410 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($44K–$73K), it’s healthier than 15%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Out of every 100 Wharton adults…
Wharton runs above TX on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
24% of Wharton adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Keeping up with care
Share of Wharton adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Care in and near Wharton
1 community health center in Wharton, 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 Wharton; ≈ 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.
1.1 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
How Wharton adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Wharton 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.
Wharton and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wharton | D | 43.1% | 17.7% | 15.9% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Wharton adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Wharton
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Wharton is better than Texas on 1 and worse on 18; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Wharton’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Wharton | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 29.4%26.1–32.9 | 21.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 16.6%14.6–18.6 | 13.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.2%16.1–20.3 | 16.9% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 43.1%34.3–51.8 | 35.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 17.7%15.5–19.9 | 12.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 41.6%37.2–45.9 | 33.1% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.9%33.4–42.3 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 27.3%24–30.5 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.6%9.3–11.9 | 9.5% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.8%6.1–7.5 | 6.1% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 8%7.2–8.9 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 8.5%7.5–9.5 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.8%4.4–5.2 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 21.5%17.9–25.6 | 12.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 15.9%13.7–18.2 | 12.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 35.9%30.7–41.5 | 27.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 14.2%11.6–17.1 | 17% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 41.2%33.9–48.9 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 22.8%20–25.8 | 19.1% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 76.2%72.3–79.7 | 73.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 47.6%43.9–51.5 | 54.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.5%82.7–86.3 | 84.6% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.5%75.9–80.8 | 74.1% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 60%54.6–65.4 | 57.9% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 70.6%61.8–78.3 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 21%17.6–24.5 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 32.6%28.5–36.6 | 28.4% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 28.4%25.9–30.8 | 19.3% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 22.6%20.3–24.8 | 16.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 15.3%13.7–17 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 14.5%13.2–15.8 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 24%21.8–26.2 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39.1%34.3–43.9 | 30.9% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 20.7%18.2–23.2 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.9%15.9–20 | 15.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.2%7.3–9.1 | 6.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 9%8.2–9.9 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.5%10.2–12.8 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.3%5.7–7 | 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 Wharton
Is Wharton a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Wharton is healthier than 11% of U.S. towns: D for health, #540 of 641 in Texas. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 15%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Wharton?
CDC estimates 43.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 34.3% and 51.8%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Wharton?
El Campo Memorial Hospital in El Campo, 13.2 miles in a straight line from Wharton’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Wharton have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 22.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 20–25.8%), 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 Wharton more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Wharton.
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.