Where Sterling residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Sterling, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 54665, 54624, 54628, 54632. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Sterling
Heart disease, COPD and cancer run high in Sterling
1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.6%), vs 6.6% across Wisconsin. 1 in 12 adults have COPD (8.3%), vs 6.5% across Wisconsin. Cancer is also above the state: 10.8%, vs 8.6% across Wisconsin. In all, Sterling runs above Wisconsin on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Sterling, and more people treating it
38.1% of adults have high blood pressure (Wisconsin 33.3%), but 81.6% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.8% statewide. 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 Wisconsin figure falls outside Sterling’s likely range; Sterling’s figures come from ZIP codes 54665, 54624, 54628, 54632, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Sterling adults…
Sterling runs above WI on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Sterling adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Wisconsin.
Care in and near Sterling
No hospital or community health center in Sterling 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 Sterling; ≈ 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 Wisconsin
Share of adults, with the Wisconsin figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Sterling adults are doing
About the same as Wisconsin on each measure.
3 in 10 Sterling 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.
11.9% of Sterling adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.5% across Wisconsin.
Sterling and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Sterling adults live with a disability (Wisconsin 29.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Sterling
Why doesn’t Sterling have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Sterling.
What hospital is closest to Sterling?
Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua, 9.0 miles in a straight line from Sterling’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Sterling.
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. 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.