Wharton, TX is a small city located in 77488 zip code with a population of 8,818 according to the 2019 census. Despite its size, Wharton provides its citizens with several health-related services and facilities. In the city there are two local hospitals—the Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital and the Houston Methodist West Hospital—both providing quality health care services. Additionally, residents of Wharton have access to several medical facilities that provide various medical services such as primary care, urgent care, physical therapy, and diabetes management. It is also home to many specialized clinics dedicated to treating specific conditions such as allergies and asthma, ear nose and throat issues, behavioral health, weight management, occupational therapy and more. These medical facilities combined with two local hospitals are key elements in keeping the community healthy and safe.
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 109 physicians per 100,000 population in Wharton (zip 77488). The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Wharton (zip 77488) area is 109.3 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
109.3 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Wharton (zip 77488) area is 61 (100=best). The US average is 55.
61 / 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 Wharton (zip 77488) area is 92 (100=best). The US average is 87.
92 / 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 Wharton (zip 77488) commutes 27.3 minutes one-way, which is longer than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Wharton (zip 77488) area is 76 (100=best). The US average is 58.
76 / 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.