Within West Virginia, Bethlehem is healthier than 96% of graded towns
Bethlehem differs from West Virginia on 20 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 19 better, 1 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Bethlehem. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Bethlehem
Bethlehem looks healthier next to West Virginia than next to the country
It’s healthier than 96% of the 61 West Virginia towns we grade, but 63% of towns nationwide. Much of West Virginia scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
Bethlehem ranks #3 for health in West Virginia
Out of 61 West Virginia towns with a Health Grade, Bethlehem is #3 on the seven CDC estimates behind it. Nationally it’s healthier than 63% of towns. Health Grade ↓
Bethlehem is an active town
Only 23.3% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 32.8% across West Virginia. Habits ↓
Bethlehem keeps up with checkups
It beats West Virginia on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including dentist visits (68.3% vs 55.5%) and cholesterol checks (90.7% vs 86.8%). Checkups ↓
COPD and stroke are less common in Bethlehem
Bethlehem runs below West Virginia on four chronic conditions, most of all COPD (6.8% vs 10.6%), stroke (3.1% vs 4.2%) and heart disease (6.8% vs 8.7%). 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 West Virginia figure falls outside Bethlehem’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to A.
What’s behind Bethlehem’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Bethlehem is healthier than 63% of U.S. towns, #3 of 61 in West Virginia. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 77% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 42%).
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). Bethlehem’s median household income is $83,409; among the 10,500 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($63K–$104K), it’s healthier than 64%, about where its income would put it.
Everyday habits, side by side with West Virginia
Share of adults, with the West Virginia figure marked.
0.9 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Bethlehem adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks West Virginia.
Out of every 100 Bethlehem adults…
Bethlehem runs below WV on 5 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Bethlehem
No hospital or community health center in Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem; ≈ 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).
How Bethlehem adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Bethlehem does better than West Virginia.
1 in 3 Bethlehem 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.
7.5% of Bethlehem adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 17.8% across West Virginia.
Bethlehem 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Bethlehem adults live with a disability (West Virginia 39.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Bethlehem
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Bethlehem is better than West Virginia on 19 and worse on 1; on the rest, the West Virginia figure falls inside Bethlehem’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Bethlehem | WV | U.S. | vs WV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 16.8%13.9–20 | 25.4% | 19.4% | Better |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.3%11.3–15.5 | 17.3% | 13% | Better |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.1%14.7–19.6 | 21.1% | 15.9% | Better |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 36%28.9–43.5 | 40.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 12.6%10.7–14.8 | 15.9% | 12% | Better |
| High blood pressure | 39.8%35.4–44.3 | 44% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 41.5%37–46.1 | 42.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 36.5%32.6–40.3 | 37.7% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 11.2%9.8–12.6 | 12.2% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 10.9%9.7–12 | 9.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.8%5.9–7.8 | 8.7% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 6.8%5.5–8.3 | 10.6% | 6.3% | Better |
| Stroke | 3.1%2.7–3.6 | 4.2% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 12.1%9.8–14.7 | 19.5% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 11.7%8.9–14.9 | 19.3% | 11.8% | Better |
| No exercise outside work | 23.3%18.7–28.4 | 32.8% | 24.7% | Better |
| Binge drinking | 15.7%12.8–18.9 | 14.1% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 37.3%31–43.8 | 40.7% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 5%3.7–6.5 | 8.5% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 82.1%78.8–85.1 | 81% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 68.3%64.8–71.7 | 55.5% | 63.2% | Better |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 90.7%89.1–92.4 | 86.8% | 87.1% | Better |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 81%78.1–83.6 | 79.5% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 72.1%67.4–76.2 | 66.5% | 65.5% | Better |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 79.6%72.3–85.4 | 76.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27.6%23.7–31.9 | 30.4% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 31%26.2–36.1 | 33.8% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 19.1%15.8–22.7 | 23% | 23.6% | Better |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 7.7%6–9.7 | 16.2% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 7.2%5.7–8.9 | 12.4% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 6.1%5–7.4 | 11% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 5%4.2–6 | 8.9% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 7.5%5.7–9.6 | 17.8% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 30.7%26–35.8 | 39.2% | 30.1% | Lower |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 13.2%10.8–15.8 | 18.7% | 13.6% | Lower |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 13%11–15.3 | 18.6% | 13.9% | Lower |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.3%6.3–8.4 | 9% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 3.4%2.9–4 | 5.7% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 6.9%5.7–8.2 | 10.9% | 7.9% | Lower |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 2.8%2.3–3.3 | 4.6% | 3.8% | Lower |
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 West Virginia figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Bethlehem
Is Bethlehem a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Bethlehem is healthier than 63% of U.S. towns: ≈ B for health, #3 of 61 in West Virginia. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 64%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Bethlehem?
CDC estimates 36% of adults have obesity, likely between 28.9% and 43.5%, against 40.6% across West Virginia and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Bethlehem?
Wheeling Hospital in Wheeling, 1.6 miles in a straight line from Bethlehem’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Bethlehem have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 3.7–6.5%), against 8.5% across West 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 Bethlehem more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to A.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Bethlehem.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The West 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.