How healthy is Washington?
Washington differs from California on 22 of 40 measures. It has fewer uninsured adults (5.3% vs 10.6%) and fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth (6.3% vs 10.6%). Where it trails the state: more adults who have had cancer (13.5% vs 6.4%).
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Washington. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Washington
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
Keeping up with care
Share of Washington adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks California.
Everyday habits, side by side with California
Share of adults, with the California figure marked.
1.5 miles of trails across 1 parks and preserves
Care in and near Washington
No hospital or community health center in Washington 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 Washington; ≈ 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 Washington adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Washington does better than California.
1 in 3 Washington 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.
14.7% of Washington adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 15.6% across California.
Out of every 100 Washington adults…
Washington runs below CA on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 8. Tap one to see it as people.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Washington adults live with a disability (California 30.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Not graded
Health Grades cover towns with 1,000 or more residents. CDC's estimates for a place of 129 people are less certain, so we show Washington's figures without a grade.
All 40 CDC measures for Washington
| Measure | Washington | Likely range | California | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 45.4% | 40.5–50.3% | 30.5% | worse |
| High cholesterol | 42.7% | 37.8–47.6% | 35.4% | worse |
| Obesity | 30.7% | 23.4–38.7% | 27.8% | about the same |
| Arthritis | 36.4% | 32.2–40.7% | 20.8% | worse |
| Depression | 22.8% | 19.3–26.8% | 20.1% | about the same |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 6.3% | 5–7.9% | 10.6% | better |
| Asthma | 10.4% | 9.1–11.8% | 9.3% | about the same |
| Cancer (not skin) | 13.5% | 12–15.1% | 6.4% | worse |
| Diabetes | 15.1% | 12.6–17.8% | 11.7% | worse |
| COPD | 10.5% | 8.2–12.9% | 5.1% | worse |
| Heart disease | 10.8% | 9.2–12.5% | 5.6% | worse |
| Stroke | 5.4% | 4.5–6.2% | 3.1% | worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.9% | 11.3–18.6% | 10.9% | worse |
| Binge drink | 13.8% | 11.3–16.7% | 15.3% | about the same |
| Get no exercise | 24.4% | 19.2–30.2% | 24.6% | about the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 30.3% | 24.6–36.7% | 35.1% | about the same |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 78.6% | 74.9–82.1% | 71.9% | better |
| Dentist visit | 66.6% | 63.2–70.1% | 62.8% | better |
| Cholesterol check | 90.3% | 88.5–92% | 85.4% | better |
| Colon screening | 69.6% | 64.3–74.7% | 57.5% | better |
| Mammogram | 76.3% | 68.3–83% | 75.7% | about the same |
| Taking BP meds | 80.6% | 77.1–83.5% | 71.3% | better |
| No health insurance | 5.3% | 3.6–7.4% | 10.6% | better |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Feel lonely | 29% | 24–34.6% | 37.3% | better |
| Lack emotional support | 21.4% | 17.8–25.8% | 28.6% | better |
| Frequent mental distress | 15.4% | 13.2–17.8% | 16.4% | about the same |
| Fair or poor health | 23.7% | 19.4–28.3% | 22.1% | about the same |
| Frequent physical distress | 16.9% | 14.3–19.8% | 13.4% | worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Food insecurity | 12.2% | 9.2–15.8% | 17.9% | better |
| Housing insecurity | 8.9% | 7–11.3% | 14.9% | better |
| Utility shut-off threat | 6% | 4.9–7.4% | 7.3% | about the same |
| No reliable transportation | 6.9% | 5.6–8.4% | 9.3% | better |
| Receive SNAP | 14.7% | 11–18.9% | 15.6% | |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 37% | 31.3–43% | 30.4% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 20.6% | 16.8–24.5% | 13.8% | |
| Thinking or memory | 13.5% | 11.2–16.1% | 14.6% | |
| Hearing | 10.7% | 9.2–12.4% | 5.9% | |
| Vision | 5.9% | 4.9–7.1% | 5.6% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 5.1% | 4.1–6.1% | 3.9% | |
| Errands alone | 9.7% | 7.8–11.6% | 8.1% | |
How CDC estimates town health
CDC combines a large national health survey with each area’s age, sex, race and income mix to estimate local rates. Nobody surveyed Washington door to door.
Every figure has a likely range. When the California figure falls inside it, we don’t call Washington better or worse.
CDC publishes Washington directly, so these are its own figures.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Washington.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The California 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.