Where Custer residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Custer, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Custer. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Custer
Custer is short on every kind of care federal data tracks
Custer’s county is a federal shortage area for primary care, dental care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
The nearest ER is 28 miles from Custer
The closest emergency room is Island Hospital in Anacortes, 28.3 miles away in a straight line. For everyday care, Unity Care Northwest is closer (4.3 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
Fewer Custer adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Washington. 1 in 13 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 10 adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Cancer runs high in Custer
1 in 11 adults have had cancer (9.1%), vs 7.9% across Washington. Conditions ↓
Custer is an active town
Only 15.1% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 17.9% across Washington. Habits ↓
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 Washington figure falls outside Custer’s likely range.
Care in and near Custer
No hospital or community health center in Custer 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 Custer; ≈ 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).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
7.4% of Custer adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11% across Washington.
Out of every 100 Custer adults…
Custer runs below WA on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 2. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Washington
Share of adults, with the Washington figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Custer adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Washington.
How Custer adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Custer runs above Washington.
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.
Custer and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndale | A− | 27.2% | 8.5% | 11.5% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Custer adults live with a disability (Washington 27.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Questions about health in Custer
Why doesn’t Custer have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Custer.
What hospital is closest to Custer?
Island Hospital in Anacortes, 28.3 miles in a straight line from Custer’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Custer?
3 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Ucnw North Whatcom in Ferndale, 4.3 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Custer.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Washington 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.