Merced, CA health
Merced differs from California on 17 of 40 measures. It has fewer adults who have had cancer (5.2% vs 6.4%). Where it trails the state: more adults facing a utility shut-off (12.7% vs 7.3%).
CDC PLACES 2025 · adults 18+ · CDC's estimate for MercedHow Merced compares with California
Each theme counts how many of its measures are better, worse or too close to call against the state. Tap one to jump to it.
Chronic conditions
Habits
Care & screenings
Mind & connection
Everyday needs
Disability
Out of every 100 Merced adults…
Bars show Merced; the black tick is California. Tap a condition to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with the state
CA 24.6%
CA 35.1%
CA 15.3%
CA 10.9%
Keeping up with care
Share of Merced adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks California.
How Merced adults are doing
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
27.8% of Merced adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 15.6% across California.
Living with a disability
of Merced adults live with a disability (California 30.4%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Black tick: California. Shown without a better/worse judgment.
Merced and the towns around it
Care nearby
Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes). Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Distances are straight-line from the center of Merced. Nearby towns are shaded from CDC's estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC's own figure for cities and villages.
All 40 measures for Merced
| Measure | Merced | Margin | California | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 31.3% | 27.7–35.1% | 30.5% | about the same |
| High cholesterol | 34.5% | 30.6–38.7% | 35.4% | about the same |
| Obesity | 33.7% | 26.9–41% | 27.8% | about the same |
| Arthritis | 20.5% | 18–23.1% | 20.8% | about the same |
| Depression | 22.2% | 18.9–25.7% | 20.1% | about the same |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 16.4% | 13.6–19.7% | 10.6% | worse |
| Asthma | 10.1% | 9–11.4% | 9.3% | about the same |
| Cancer (not skin) | 5.2% | 4.7–5.7% | 6.4% | better |
| Diabetes | 13% | 11.4–14.8% | 11.7% | about the same |
| COPD | 6.4% | 5.8–7.1% | 5.1% | worse |
| Heart disease | 6.1% | 5.5–6.7% | 5.6% | about the same |
| Stroke | 3.5% | 3.3–3.8% | 3.1% | worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.6% | 12.7–16.5% | 10.9% | worse |
| Binge drink | 15.7% | 12.9–18.8% | 15.3% | about the same |
| Get no exercise | 33.1% | 28.6–37.9% | 24.6% | worse |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 38.8% | 32.4–45.7% | 35.1% | about the same |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 69.3% | 65.1–73.4% | 71.9% | about the same |
| Dentist visit | 51.9% | 48.3–55.7% | 62.8% | worse |
| Cholesterol check | 80% | 77.8–82% | 85.4% | worse |
| Colon screening | 52.3% | 47.1–57.8% | 57.5% | about the same |
| Mammogram | 68.7% | 60.3–76.8% | 75.7% | about the same |
| Taking BP meds | 68.2% | 65–71.1% | 71.3% | worse |
| No health insurance | 17.1% | 15.2–19.2% | 10.6% | worse |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Feel lonely | 40% | 34.7–45.5% | 37.3% | about the same |
| Lack emotional support | 30.5% | 26.5–34.6% | 28.6% | about the same |
| Frequent mental distress | 19.6% | 17.5–21.9% | 16.4% | worse |
| Fair or poor health | 29.4% | 26.5–32.4% | 22.1% | worse |
| Frequent physical distress | 16.1% | 14.3–17.9% | 13.4% | worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Food insecurity | 29.6% | 26.5–32.8% | 17.9% | worse |
| Housing insecurity | 23% | 20.4–25.7% | 14.9% | worse |
| Utility shut-off threat | 12.7% | 11.2–14.3% | 7.3% | worse |
| No reliable transportation | 15% | 13.4–16.6% | 9.3% | worse |
| Receive SNAP | 27.8% | 25.1–30.5% | 15.6% | |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 36.1% | 32.1–40.5% | 30.4% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 16.9% | 15.1–18.9% | 13.8% | |
| Thinking or memory | 19.6% | 17.7–21.6% | 14.6% | |
| Hearing | 6.5% | 5.8–7.3% | 5.9% | |
| Vision | 8.7% | 8–9.4% | 5.6% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 5.6% | 5.2–6% | 3.9% | |
| Errands alone | 11.3% | 10.3–12.4% | 8.1% | |
How CDC estimates town health
CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The California figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau.