On CDC estimates, Maine is healthier than 77% of U.S. towns
Maine differs from Wisconsin on 8 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 7 better, 1 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Maine. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Maine
Against towns with similar incomes, Maine’s lead shrinks
Maine is healthier than 77% of U.S. towns, but 58% of the 7,026 towns with similar household incomes ($83K–$138K). Part of its edge is what towns with its incomes tend to have. Health Grade ↓
Fewer Maine adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Wisconsin. 1 in 12 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 8 adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Maine is the healthiest of the towns around it
Its A− tops all three graded neighbors. The closest is Stettin (B). Around town ↓
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 Wisconsin figure falls outside Maine’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B− to A.
What’s behind Maine’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Maine is healthier than 77% of U.S. towns, #103 of 357 in Wisconsin. All seven estimates beat the typical U.S. town. The strongest is mental distress (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 91% of towns); the weakest is obesity, still better than 55%.
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). Maine’s median household income is $110,721; among the 7,026 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($83K–$138K), it’s healthier than 58%, about where its income would put it.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
8.4% of Maine adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.5% across Wisconsin.
Maine and the towns around it
Maine has the best Health Grade of the 4 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Out of every 100 Maine adults…
Maine runs below WI on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Maine
No hospital or community health center in Maine 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 Maine; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Everyday habits, side by side with Wisconsin
Share of adults, with the Wisconsin figure marked.
1.2 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Maine adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Wisconsin.
How Maine adults are doing
About the same as Wisconsin on each measure.
1 in 4 Maine 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Maine adults live with a disability (Wisconsin 29.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Maine
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Maine is better than Wisconsin on 7 and worse on 1; on the rest, the Wisconsin figure falls inside Maine’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Maine | WI | U.S. | vs WI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 15.6%13.3–18 | 17.8% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 12.2%10.6–13.9 | 12.9% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.7%12–15.5 | 15.5% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 35.6%30.7–40.5 | 37.7% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 10.3%8.9–11.8 | 11.4% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 34.1%30.7–37.5 | 33.3% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.6%34.3–41.1 | 34.4% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 27.3%24.5–30.2 | 26.6% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 10.1%8.9–11.3 | 10.8% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.7%8.8–10.6 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.5%5.8–7.3 | 6.6% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 6%5.1–6.9 | 6.5% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.1%2.8–3.5 | 3.4% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 7.5%6–9.1 | 9.9% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 12.5%10.2–14.8 | 13.6% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 24.5%20.7–28.4 | 26.6% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 19.3%16.6–22.3 | 19% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 29.6%25.6–33.7 | 32.6% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 6%4.9–7.4 | 8% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.1%75.3–81 | 77.6% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 70.1%67.1–72.8 | 67.1% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 88.4%86.9–89.9 | 85.9% | 87.1% | Better |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78%75.1–80.7 | 77.8% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 72%68.1–75.6 | 69.4% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 77.9%71.8–83.1 | 80.3% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 23.4%20.5–26.6 | 23.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 26.8%23.2–30.6 | 30.6% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 18.6%15.9–21.5 | 20.2% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 8.5%6.9–10.3 | 12.1% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 7.2%6–8.6 | 9.7% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 4%3.4–4.8 | 5.5% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 5%4.3–5.8 | 6.7% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 8.4%6.8–10.3 | 12.5% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 27%23.5–30.8 | 29.4% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 11.8%10.1–13.7 | 13.4% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 10.9%9.4–12.6 | 12.8% | 13.9% | Lower |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.9%6.1–7.8 | 6.9% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 3.5%3.1–4 | 4.5% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 6.6%5.7–7.6 | 7.9% | 7.9% | Lower |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 3%2.7–3.5 | 3.5% | 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 Wisconsin figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Maine
Is Maine a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Maine is healthier than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for health, #103 of 357 in Wisconsin. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 58%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Maine?
CDC estimates 35.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 30.7% and 40.5%, against 37.7% across Wisconsin and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Maine?
Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, 6.3 miles in a straight line from Maine’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Maine have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 4.9–7.4%), against 8% across Wisconsin.
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 Maine more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B− to A.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Maine.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Wisconsin 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.