Photo: Youngamerican at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Richwood’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Richwood differs from West Virginia on 15 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 14 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Richwood. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Richwood
Richwood is in the bottom 1% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Richwood is healthier than only 1% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Richwood
1 in 7 adults have COPD (14.8%), vs 10.6% across West Virginia. 1 in 8 adults have heart disease (11.8%), vs 8.7% across West Virginia. Stroke is also above the state: 5.6%, vs 4.2% across West Virginia. In all, Richwood runs above West Virginia on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Richwood
50.2% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 55.5% across West Virginia. Among those 65 and older, 24.6% have lost all their teeth (West Virginia 19.5%). Checkups ↓
More high blood pressure in Richwood, and more people treating it
50.5% of adults have high blood pressure (West Virginia 44%), but 82.6% of them take medicine for it, vs 79.5% statewide. Checkups ↓
Richwood is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Richwood is healthier than 1%. Against the 649 towns with similar household incomes ($23K–$39K), it’s healthier than 23%. 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 West Virginia figure falls outside Richwood’s likely range.
What’s behind Richwood’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Richwood is near the bottom of U.S. towns. All seven of Richwood’s estimates fall in the lowest 9% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is physical distress: 20.8% of adults, against 17.3% across West 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). Richwood’s median household income is $30,833; among the 649 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($23K–$39K), it’s healthier than 23%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Richwood compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 82.6% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Richwood adults…
Richwood runs above WV on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Richwood adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks West Virginia.
Care in and near Richwood
1 community health center in Richwood, plus the nearest just outside it.
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 Richwood; ≈ 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 West Virginia
Share of adults, with the West Virginia figure marked.
0.3 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
How Richwood adults are doing
About the same as West Virginia on each measure.
1 in 3 Richwood 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.
23.4% of Richwood adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 17.8% across West Virginia.
Richwood and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richwood | D− | 42.7% | 19.6% | 23.6% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Richwood adults live with a disability (West Virginia 39.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Richwood
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Richwood is better than West Virginia on 1 and worse on 14; on the rest, the West Virginia figure falls inside Richwood’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Richwood | WV | U.S. | vs WV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 31.6%27.8–35.6 | 25.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.8%18.5–23.4 | 17.3% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.7%19.4–24.4 | 21.1% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 42.7%35.3–51.6 | 40.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 19.6%17.2–22.3 | 15.9% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 50.5%46.4–55.3 | 44% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 46.5%42.2–51.6 | 42.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 45.1%41.4–49.2 | 37.7% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.6%11.2–14.4 | 12.2% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 11.2%10.2–12.5 | 9.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 11.8%10.5–13.1 | 8.7% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 14.8%13–16.7 | 10.6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.6%5–6.2 | 4.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 24.6%20.6–29.1 | 19.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 23.6%20.5–27.2 | 19.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 39.4%34.1–45.6 | 32.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.9%9.8–14.8 | 14.1% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 41.1%34.6–47.5 | 40.7% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 9.3%7.4–11.4 | 8.5% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 81.7%78.7–85 | 81% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 50.2%46.4–54 | 55.5% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 87%85.2–88.9 | 86.8% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 82.6%80.3–85.1 | 79.5% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 65.7%60.5–70.6 | 66.5% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 75%67.5–81.6 | 76.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 31.6%27.7–36.5 | 30.4% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 34.5%29.3–40.2 | 33.8% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 23.2%19.5–27.3 | 23% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 19.8%16.5–23.3 | 16.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 13.6%11.5–15.9 | 12.4% | 12% | About the same |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 12.8%11–14.7 | 11% | 7.6% | About the same |
| Lack reliable transportation | 10.2%8.8–11.8 | 8.9% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 23.4%19.9–27.3 | 17.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 46.3%41.3–51.7 | 39.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 24.9%21.9–28 | 18.7% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.5%18.1–23.3 | 18.6% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 11.8%10.5–13.2 | 9% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 7.6%6.7–8.5 | 5.7% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13.5%12–15.2 | 10.9% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.2%5.5–7 | 4.6% | 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 West Virginia figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Richwood
Is Richwood a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Richwood is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 23%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Richwood?
CDC estimates 42.7% of adults have obesity, likely between 35.3% and 51.6%, against 40.6% across West Virginia and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Richwood?
Summersville Regional Medical Center in Summersville, 16.7 miles in a straight line from Richwood’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Richwood have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 9.3% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 7.4–11.4%), 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 Richwood more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Richwood.
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.