Health in Independence
Independence differs from Missouri on 13 of 40 measures. Where it trails the state most: more uninsured adults (11.5% vs 8.7%) and more adults facing food insecurity (17.9% vs 13.7%).
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Independence. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Independence
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
14% of Independence adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
Care in and near Independence
1 hospital and 2 community health centers in Independence, 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 Independence; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Independence adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
Everyday habits, side by side with Missouri
Share of adults, with the Missouri figure marked.
46 miles of trails across 51 parks and preserves
Independence’s Health Grade: C−
On seven CDC health estimates for adults, Independence is healthier than 18% of U.S. towns.
About what its income would suggest. Independence does about as well against towns with similar incomes as against all towns.
How the Health Grade works
- Seven CDC estimates. Adults in fair or poor health, frequent physical distress, frequent mental distress, obesity, diabetes, smoking and no exercise (CDC PLACES, 2025 release). On each one a town earns the share of U.S. towns doing worse, and those shares are averaged. It’s the same score as the Healthiest towns in Missouri ranking.
- Graded on a national curve. Every U.S. town with 1,000+ residents and all seven estimates (19,420 places): A+ is the top 5%, A the next 10%, A− the next 10%, the B range the next 30%, the C range the next 30%, D and D− the bottom 15%. There’s no F.
- Not adjusted for income. Wealthier towns are usually healthier, and the grade shows that as it is. The similar-incomes bar compares Independence with U.S. towns whose median household income is within 25% of its own.
- Modeled, not measured. CDC combines national survey answers with each area’s age, sex, race and income mix. High blood pressure is left out because it tracks age more than anything else. The confidence line recomputes the grade with every estimate at the low, then the high, end of its range.
Out of every 100 Independence adults…
Independence runs above MO on 3 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
How Independence adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Independence runs above Missouri.
1 in 3 Independence adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
1 neighbor is on TownTapestry in Independence. 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.
Independence and the towns around it
Independence’s Health Grade ranks 4th of 6 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health Grades next door
Tap a town to see its health pageLiving with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Independence adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
All 40 CDC measures for Independence
| Measure | Independence | Likely range | Missouri | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 37.3% | 34.5–40.1% | 36.5% | about the same |
| High cholesterol | 41.3% | 38.3–44.4% | 37.5% | worse |
| Obesity | 37.3% | 33.5–41.3% | 36.6% | about the same |
| Arthritis | 29.9% | 27.6–32.3% | 28.8% | about the same |
| Depression | 26.9% | 24.2–29.8% | 24.3% | about the same |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 16.6% | 13.9–19.5% | 15.8% | about the same |
| Asthma | 10.7% | 9.6–12% | 10.6% | about the same |
| Cancer (not skin) | 8.7% | 7.9–9.5% | 8.6% | about the same |
| Diabetes | 12.9% | 11.6–14.5% | 12.1% | about the same |
| COPD | 9.4% | 8.6–10.3% | 8% | worse |
| Heart disease | 7.5% | 6.8–8.2% | 6.8% | about the same |
| Stroke | 4.1% | 3.8–4.4% | 3.6% | worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 18.4% | 16.5–20.4% | 16% | worse |
| Binge drink | 16.8% | 14.6–19.2% | 16.3% | about the same |
| Get no exercise | 33.9% | 30.8–37.2% | 28.8% | worse |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 34.7% | 31–38.4% | 36.5% | about the same |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 76.9% | 74.1–79.6% | 78.4% | about the same |
| Dentist visit | 58.5% | 55.4–61.5% | 60.4% | about the same |
| Cholesterol check | 83.7% | 82–85.4% | 84.5% | about the same |
| Colon screening | 63.2% | 59.1–67.1% | 64% | about the same |
| Mammogram | 72.9% | 66.6–78.5% | 74.7% | about the same |
| Taking BP meds | 76.5% | 73.9–78.9% | 77.2% | about the same |
| No health insurance | 11.5% | 10.1–12.9% | 8.7% | worse |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Feel lonely | 33.1% | 29.7–36.6% | 31.7% | about the same |
| Lack emotional support | 22.8% | 20.1–25.6% | 20.1% | about the same |
| Frequent mental distress | 19.9% | 18.1–21.9% | 17.5% | worse |
| Fair or poor health | 24.1% | 22–26.5% | 20.5% | worse |
| Frequent physical distress | 16% | 14.5–17.6% | 14.2% | worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Food insecurity | 17.9% | 16–19.9% | 13.7% | worse |
| Housing insecurity | 15.6% | 13.8–17.4% | 12.1% | worse |
| Utility shut-off threat | 11.4% | 10.1–12.7% | 9% | worse |
| No reliable transportation | 10.3% | 9.2–11.5% | 8.4% | worse |
| Receive SNAP | 14% | 12.3–15.7% | 10.8% | |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 40.3% | 37.3–43.5% | 36.2% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 18.8% | 17.1–20.7% | 15.8% | |
| Thinking or memory | 19.4% | 17.7–21.3% | 17.2% | |
| Hearing | 9.2% | 8.3–10.1% | 8.3% | |
| Vision | 6.3% | 5.8–6.8% | 5.1% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 4.8% | 4.4–5.2% | 3.9% | |
| Errands alone | 11.1% | 10.1–12.1% | 9.2% | |
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 Independence door to door.
Every figure has a likely range. When the Missouri figure falls inside it, we don’t call Independence better or worse.
CDC publishes Independence directly, so these are its own figures.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Independence.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Missouri 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.