Photo: Jarek Tuszyński · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Covington is healthier than 6% of U.S. towns
Covington trails Virginia on 22 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Covington. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Covington
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Covington
1 in 9 adults have COPD (11.4%), vs 6.2% across Virginia. 1 in 20 adults have had a stroke (5.1%), vs 3.3% across Virginia. Heart disease is also above the state: 9.3%, vs 6.1% across Virginia. In all, Covington runs above Virginia on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Covington
1 in 5 adults smoke cigarettes (20.3%), vs 12.2% across Virginia. Habits ↓
Covington is in the bottom 6% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Covington is healthier than only 6% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
More Covington adults live with a disability
2 in 5 adults live with a disability (41.4%, vs 30% across Virginia). The biggest difference is trouble walking: 21.4% vs 13.5%. Disability ↓
Covington is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Covington is healthier than 6%. Against the 3,001 towns with similar household incomes ($31K–$52K), it’s healthier than 28%. 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 Virginia figure falls outside Covington’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
What’s behind Covington’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Covington is healthier than 6% of U.S. towns, #245 of 253 in Virginia. All seven of Covington’s estimates fall in the lowest 15% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is physical distress: 18.3% of adults, against 12.8% across Virginia and 13% 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). Covington’s median household income is $41,944; among the 3,001 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($31K–$52K), it’s healthier than 28%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Out of every 100 Covington adults…
Covington runs above VA on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Virginia
Share of adults, with the Virginia figure marked.
6.5 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Covington adults live with a disability (Virginia 30%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Care in and near Covington
No hospital or community health center in Covington 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 Covington; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Covington adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Virginia.
How Covington adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Covington runs above Virginia.
1 in 3 Covington 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.
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 Covington adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.7% across Virginia.
Covington and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Every CDC estimate for Covington
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Covington is better than Virginia on 0 and worse on 22; on the rest, the Virginia figure falls inside Covington’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Covington | VA | U.S. | vs VA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 26.8%23.5–30.1 | 18.1% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.3%16.1–20.5 | 12.8% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.7%17.5–22.1 | 15.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 41.1%32–50.8 | 34.5% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 16.8%14.7–19.2 | 12.5% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 43.2%38.4–47.9 | 35.4% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 42.1%37.2–47 | 38% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 34.6%30.7–38.4 | 26.2% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.9%10.5–13.4 | 10.4% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.2%8.3–10.2 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.3%8.4–10.4 | 6.1% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 11.4%10–12.7 | 6.2% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.1%4.7–5.6 | 3.3% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 16.5%13.4–19.8 | 11.1% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 20.3%17.3–23.2 | 12.2% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 33.3%28–38.7 | 23.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 13.4%10.7–16.4 | 14.5% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 36.7%29.8–44.1 | 36% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 10.9%9.1–12.9 | 8.7% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.5%75.8–82.9 | 79.2% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 61.3%57.6–65 | 67.9% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85.2%83.2–87.1 | 87.5% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.7%76.7–82.3 | 76.8% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 65.1%60–70 | 67.4% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 70.9%62.5–78.5 | 78.6% | 76.4% | Worse |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 25.8%21.8–30 | 21.8% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 35.4%29.9–41.1 | 33.8% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 23.1%19.6–27 | 21.6% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 19.9%17–23 | 13.1% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 14.4%12.4–16.6 | 10.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 10.3%9–11.8 | 7.1% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 10.5%9.2–11.9 | 7.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 19.6%16.9–22.6 | 10.7% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 41.4%36.3–46.4 | 30% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21.4%18.8–24 | 13.5% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.2%17–21.6 | 14% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 9.5%8.4–10.7 | 6.4% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 7.3%6.6–8.1 | 4.7% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 12.2%10.8–13.7 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.8%5.2–6.4 | 3.5% | 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 Virginia figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Covington
Is Covington a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Covington is healthier than 6% of U.S. towns: D for health, #245 of 253 in Virginia. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 28%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Covington?
CDC estimates 41.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 32% and 50.8%, against 34.5% across Virginia and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Covington?
Lewisgale Hospital Alleghany in Low Moor, 2.6 miles in a straight line from Covington’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Covington have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 10.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.1–12.9%), against 8.7% across Virginia.
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 Covington 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 Covington.
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. 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.