How healthy is Amherst?
Amherst differs from Texas on 15 of 33 measures. It has more adults treating high blood pressure (79.9% vs 74.1%). Where it trails the state: more adults with heart disease (9.1% vs 5.6%).
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Amherst. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Amherst
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
Everyday habits, side by side with Texas
Share of adults, with the Texas figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Amherst adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Care in and near Amherst
No hospital or community health center in Amherst 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 Amherst; ≈ 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).
Out of every 100 Amherst adults…
Amherst runs above TX on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
How Amherst adults are doing
About the same as Texas on each measure.
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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Amherst adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). 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 902 people are less certain, so we show Amherst's figures without a grade.
All 33 CDC measures for Amherst
| Measure | Amherst | Likely range | Texas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 42.3% | 38.1–47.6% | 33.1% | worse |
| High cholesterol | 41.2% | 36.8–46.5% | 35.1% | worse |
| Obesity | 41.5% | 33.4–52.6% | 35.6% | about the same |
| Arthritis | 28.8% | 25.7–32.8% | 21.6% | worse |
| Depression | 20.2% | 17.1–24.1% | 21.2% | about the same |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 12.5% | 10.1–15.3% | 12.5% | about the same |
| Asthma | 9.5% | 8.4–10.8% | 9.5% | about the same |
| Cancer (not skin) | 7.7% | 6.9–8.6% | 6.1% | worse |
| Diabetes | 19.3% | 17.1–22.2% | 12.7% | worse |
| COPD | 8.8% | 7.5–10.4% | 5.7% | worse |
| Heart disease | 9.1% | 8.1–10.3% | 5.6% | worse |
| Stroke | 4.9% | 4.4–5.6% | 3.2% | worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 15.2% | 12.9–18% | 12.5% | worse |
| Binge drink | 14.1% | 11.6–17.7% | 17% | about the same |
| Get no exercise | 39.2% | 33.8–45.7% | 27.8% | worse |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 37.5% | 30.6–44.7% | 38.2% | about the same |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 75.6% | 71.8–79.8% | 73.8% | about the same |
| Dentist visit | 48% | 44.2–51.9% | 54.6% | worse |
| Cholesterol check | 85% | 82.7–87.2% | 84.6% | about the same |
| Colon screening | 55.8% | 50.4–61.2% | 57.9% | about the same |
| Mammogram | 69.6% | 60.9–77.4% | 74.1% | about the same |
| Taking BP meds | 79.9% | 77.3–82.6% | 74.1% | better |
| No health insurance | 29.4% | 24.3–34.9% | 19.1% | worse |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Frequent mental distress | 16.8% | 14.9–19.1% | 16.9% | about the same |
| Fair or poor health | 32.3% | 28.2–37% | 21.8% | worse |
| Frequent physical distress | 18.1% | 15.9–20.6% | 13.2% | worse |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 41.8% | 36.9–47.3% | 30.9% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 22.6% | 19.8–25.9% | 14% | |
| Thinking or memory | 17.9% | 15.6–20.6% | 15.1% | |
| Hearing | 10% | 8.9–11.3% | 6.3% | |
| Vision | 9.9% | 8.6–11.2% | 6.1% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 6.5% | 5.7–7.5% | 4% | |
| Errands alone | 11.3% | 9.7–13.1% | 8.2% | |
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 Amherst door to door.
Every figure has a likely range. When the Texas figure falls inside it, we don’t call Amherst better or worse.
CDC publishes Amherst directly, so these are its own figures.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Amherst.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Texas 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.