Independence, OR is a small community in Polk County that is known for its vibrant culture and close-knit atmosphere. Health care in the area is provided by a number of local hospitals and medical facilities. Some of these include Salem Health, Willamette Valley Medical Center, Silverton Hospital, Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, and Santiam Memorial Hospital. All offer convenient, quality care to residents of Independence. The city also has several independent optometrists and chiropractors who are experienced in providing care specifically tailored to the needs of local residents. There are many preventive health services available as well such as flu shots and physicals, making it easy for residents to stay healthy. In addition, there are plenty of outdoor activities and trails to explore, giving people the opportunity to stay active outdoors. All in all, Independence provides residents with access to quality healthcare options while also encouraging an active lifestyle for the whole family.
The health of a city has many different factors. It can refer to air quality, water quality, risk of getting respiratory disease or cancer. The people you live around can also affect your health as some places have lower or higher rates of physical activity, increased alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and cancer rates.
Physicians per Capita
There are 118 physicians per 100,000 population in Independence. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Independence area is 83.0 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
83.0 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Independence area is 60 (100=best). The US average is 55.
60 / 100
Note that this is a measure of Watershed quality, not the water that comes from your faucet. The EPA has stated that a healthy watershed is closely related to drinking water quality. The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators such as pH, chemicals, metals, and bacteria.
Superfund Index
The annual BestPlaces Superfund Index for the Independence area is 94 (100=best). The US average is 87.
94 / 100
The EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of our nation's most contaminated land. Our index is based on the number of active Superfund sites (over 15,000 in the United States), with particular attention paid to those on the National Priorities List which pose the greatest health danger.
Quick Facts
Commuting can effect your health. The average person in Independence commutes 26.1 minutes one-way, which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Independence area is 74 (100=best). The US average is 58.
74 / 100
This is based on new measures of hazardous air pollutants from the EPA, called the National Air Toxics Assessment. This analysis models respiratory illness and cancer risk down to the zip code level, providing better detail and insight than the previous analysis based solely on results from air monitoring stations.