Bremo Plantation · Photo: Historic American Buildings Survey · Public domainWhere Columbia residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Columbia, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Columbia. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Columbia
Making ends meet is harder in Columbia
1 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (22.1%), vs 13.1% across Virginia. Utility shut-off threats (12% vs 7.1%) and no reliable transportation (12.1% vs 7.4%) are higher too. 19.6% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.7% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
The nearest ER is 24 miles from Columbia
The closest emergency room is Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, 24.1 miles away in a straight line. And 12.1% of adults lack reliable transportation, vs 7.4% across Virginia. For everyday care, Central Virginia Health Services is closer (13.5 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
Stroke, diabetes and obesity run high in Columbia
1 in 22 adults have had a stroke (4.5%), vs 3.3% across Virginia. 1 in 6 adults have diabetes (16.4%), vs 12.5% across Virginia. Obesity is also above the state: 45.1%, vs 34.5% across Virginia. In all, Columbia runs above Virginia on four of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
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 Virginia figure falls outside Columbia’s likely range.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
19.6% of Columbia adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.7% across Virginia.
Care in and near Columbia
No hospital or community health center in Columbia 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 Columbia; ≈ 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).
Out of every 100 Columbia adults…
Columbia runs below VA on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 6. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Virginia
Share of adults, with the Virginia figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Columbia adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Virginia.
How Columbia adults are doing
About the same as Virginia on each measure.
4 in 10 Columbia adults feel lonely. 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.
Columbia and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Columbia adults live with a disability (Virginia 30%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Columbia
Why doesn’t Columbia have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Columbia.
What hospital is closest to Columbia?
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, 24.1 miles in a straight line from Columbia’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Columbia.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Virginia figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. 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.