Measures › Health-related social needs › Utility Services Threat
Health-related social needs · BRFSS 2023
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults
US estimate 7.4% (95% interval 7.2–7.6), age-adjusted 8.1% (7.9–8.4). Published in the 2024, 2025 releases.
- Population: All Adults
- Case definition period: Past 12 months
- Prevalence (crude and age-adjusted)
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults: CDC's PLACES 2025 release estimates 7.4% nationally (95% confidence interval 7.2–7.6%), or 8.1% age-adjusted, from 2023 BRFSS responses.
Across the 2,299 counties with a 2025 estimate, the median county is 7.9% and the middle half of counties fall between 6.4% and 10.0%; the full range runs from 3.5% to 26.7%. Population-weighted state figures computed by this site (no interval) range from 5.1% (Washington) to 12.4% (Louisiana).
CDC advises that areas may be compared on individual measures but that the estimates should not be used to rank overall health; the county lists below are ordered by point estimate and every row carries its 95% confidence interval.
CDC's definition
A multi-level regression and post-stratification approach was applied to BRFSS and ACS data to compute a detailed probability among adults who reported that an electric, gas, oil, or water company threatened to shut off services at any time during the prior 12 months. The probability was then applied to the detailed population estimates at the appropriate geographic level to generate the prevalence. The 95% confidence interval was derived using Monte Carlo simulation.
CDC's notes: This measure used the survey question that is part of the Social Determinants and Health Equity optional module of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This measure is only available for states that chose to administer the module.
Quoted from CDC's PLACES measure definitions (cdc.gov/places/measure-definitions). BRFSS is the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the telephone survey the model is trained on.
National distribution across counties
Crude county point estimates in the 2025 release, 24 equal bins. Deciles: 10th 5.5%, 25th 6.4%, median 7.9%, 75th 10.0%, 90th 13.0%. Counties without a 2025 estimate (Kentucky, Pennsylvania and the states without the social-needs module) are excluded here.
By state
Crude prevalence is the estimated share of all adults. Age-adjusted prevalence is standardised to the 2000 US standard population so that areas with different age structures can be compared. CDC: "Age-adjusted estimates are only available at the county and place-level."
| State | State figure, crude (site aggregate) | Lowest county | Highest county | Counties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.4% | 7.9% | 26.7% | 64 |
| Mississippi | 11.2% | 7.0% | 22.9% | 82 |
| New Mexico | 11.2% | 4.5% | 24.2% | 33 |
| West Virginia | 11.0% | 8.8% | 17.8% | 55 |
| Texas (2024 release) | 10.7% | 5.8% | 20.8% | 253* |
| Arkansas | 10.4% | 7.3% | 20.1% | 75 |
| Oklahoma | 10.3% | 6.9% | 16.1% | 77 |
| Nevada | 9.7% | 5.3% | 12.2% | 17 |
| Alabama | 9.6% | 6.1% | 22.8% | 67 |
| Georgia | 9.6% | 4.3% | 18.7% | 159 |
| Tennessee (2024 release) | 9.1% | 4.4% | 15.7% | 95* |
| Missouri | 9.0% | 5.9% | 16.3% | 115 |
| South Carolina | 8.9% | 5.9% | 17.6% | 46 |
| Kentucky (2024 release) | 8.8% | 6.3% | 16.1% | 120* |
| Michigan | 8.7% | 4.7% | 13.8% | 83 |
| Florida (2024 release) | 8.6% | 4.1% | 14.6% | 67* |
| Connecticut | 8.4% | 5.9% | 10.7% | 9 |
| Indiana | 8.4% | 4.7% | 11.0% | 92 |
| Maryland | 8.4% | 5.2% | 14.3% | 24 |
| Ohio | 8.3% | 4.8% | 10.6% | 88 |
| Alaska | 8.2% | 6.0% | 24.8% | 30 |
| Kansas | 8.2% | 5.5% | 14.0% | 105 |
| New York | 8.2% | 5.2% | 16.4% | 62 |
| North Carolina | 8.1% | 4.7% | 16.2% | 100 |
| Rhode Island | 8.0% | 4.9% | 9.7% | 5 |
| District of Columbia | 7.8% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 1 |
| Illinois | 7.8% | 4.8% | 13.5% | 102 |
| Delaware | 7.4% | 6.1% | 8.6% | 3 |
| Maine | 7.4% | 6.0% | 10.1% | 16 |
| California | 7.3% | 4.3% | 12.7% | 58 |
| Arizona | 7.2% | 5.6% | 18.3% | 15 |
| Virginia | 7.1% | 3.5% | 16.5% | 133 |
| Massachusetts | 7.0% | 5.0% | 10.3% | 14 |
| New Jersey | 7.0% | 4.2% | 11.7% | 21 |
| Idaho | 6.6% | 5.1% | 10.1% | 44 |
| Montana | 6.5% | 5.0% | 17.3% | 56 |
| Utah | 6.5% | 4.4% | 13.0% | 29 |
| Iowa | 6.4% | 4.7% | 8.6% | 99 |
| Nebraska | 6.4% | 4.8% | 12.1% | 93 |
| Wyoming (2024 release) | 6.2% | 4.5% | 8.4% | 23* |
| Hawaii | 5.8% | 5.4% | 10.5% | 5 |
| North Dakota | 5.8% | 4.4% | 22.5% | 53 |
| Minnesota | 5.7% | 4.3% | 12.4% | 87 |
| Vermont (2024 release) | 5.7% | 4.1% | 7.1% | 14* |
| Wisconsin | 5.5% | 3.6% | 11.9% | 72 |
| New Hampshire | 5.4% | 4.7% | 6.8% | 10 |
| Washington (2024 release) | 5.1% | 3.1% | 8.6% | 39* |
| Colorado | — | — | — | — |
| Oregon | — | — | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | — | — | — | — |
| South Dakota | — | — | — | — |
| State | State figure, age-adjusted (site aggregate) | Counties |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 13.3% | 64 |
| New Mexico | 12.4% | 33 |
| West Virginia | 12.3% | 55 |
| Mississippi | 12.2% | 82 |
| Arkansas | 11.4% | 75 |
| Oklahoma | 11.1% | 77 |
| Texas (2024 release) | 11.0% | 253* |
| Alabama | 10.5% | 67 |
| Nevada | 10.2% | 17 |
| Georgia | 10.1% | 159 |
| South Carolina | 9.8% | 46 |
| Missouri | 9.7% | 115 |
| Tennessee (2024 release) | 9.7% | 95* |
| Florida (2024 release) | 9.6% | 67* |
| Michigan | 9.6% | 83 |
| Kentucky (2024 release) | 9.5% | 120* |
| Connecticut | 9.1% | 9 |
| Ohio | 9.1% | 88 |
| Indiana | 9.0% | 92 |
| Kansas | 9.0% | 105 |
| Maryland | 8.9% | 24 |
| North Carolina | 8.8% | 100 |
| New York | 8.8% | 62 |
| Rhode Island | 8.7% | 5 |
| Alaska | 8.4% | 30 |
| Maine | 8.4% | 16 |
| Delaware | 8.3% | 3 |
| Illinois | 8.3% | 102 |
| Arizona | 8.0% | 15 |
| District of Columbia | 7.8% | 1 |
| Massachusetts | 7.7% | 14 |
| Virginia | 7.7% | 133 |
| California | 7.6% | 58 |
| New Jersey | 7.5% | 21 |
| Idaho | 7.2% | 44 |
| Montana | 7.2% | 56 |
| Iowa | 7.1% | 99 |
| Nebraska | 7.0% | 93 |
| Wyoming (2024 release) | 6.9% | 23* |
| Utah | 6.7% | 29 |
| Hawaii | 6.5% | 5 |
| Vermont (2024 release) | 6.4% | 14* |
| North Dakota | 6.3% | 53 |
| Minnesota | 6.2% | 87 |
| Wisconsin | 6.1% | 72 |
| New Hampshire | 6.0% | 10 |
| Washington (2024 release) | 5.4% | 39* |
| Colorado | — | — |
| Oregon | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | — | — |
| South Dakota | — | — |
State figures are population-weighted county estimates computed by this site (PLACES publishes no state row) and carry no interval; they are listed by point estimate, which is not a ranking of states' health. Lowest and highest county columns are crude point estimates. * This measure was not published for the state in the 2025 release; its figure, county count and county range come from the release in brackets, the most recent that has them.
Highest county estimates
| County | Crude | 95% interval |
|---|---|---|
| East Carroll Parish, LA | 26.7% | 23.1–30.4 |
| Kusilvak Census Area, AK | 24.8% | 21.4–28.4 |
| McKinley County, NM | 24.2% | 20.9–27.7 |
| Madison Parish, LA | 23.6% | 20.5–26.6 |
| Tunica County, MS | 22.9% | 20.0–26.3 |
| Bullock County, AL | 22.8% | 19.6–26.1 |
| Holmes County, MS | 22.7% | 19.6–26.0 |
| Sioux County, ND | 22.5% | 19.4–25.8 |
| Humphreys County, MS | 22.1% | 19.0–25.4 |
| Greene County, AL | 21.8% | 18.9–24.9 |
| Quitman County, MS | 21.2% | 18.1–24.3 |
| Perry County, AL | 20.9% | 18.1–23.6 |
| Claiborne Parish, LA | 20.9% | 18.2–23.7 |
| Coahoma County, MS | 20.6% | 17.5–23.6 |
| Jefferson County, MS | 20.5% | 17.3–23.9 |
| Lowndes County, AL | 20.2% | 17.3–23.0 |
| Phillips County, AR | 20.1% | 17.4–22.8 |
| Leflore County, MS | 20.1% | 17.1–23.1 |
| Sharkey County, MS | 20.1% | 17.9–22.4 |
| Claiborne County, MS | 19.8% | 16.7–22.9 |
| County | Age-adj. | 95% interval |
|---|---|---|
| East Carroll Parish, LA | 27.8% | 24.0–31.4 |
| Greene County, AL | 25.5% | 22.2–29.1 |
| Madison Parish, LA | 25.5% | 22.2–28.8 |
| McKinley County, NM | 25.0% | 21.6–28.7 |
| Kusilvak Census Area, AK | 24.9% | 21.4–28.3 |
| Holmes County, MS | 24.8% | 21.4–28.5 |
| Humphreys County, MS | 24.8% | 21.2–28.4 |
| Bullock County, AL | 24.1% | 20.9–27.6 |
| Perry County, AL | 24.0% | 20.5–27.2 |
| Tunica County, MS | 23.8% | 20.6–27.2 |
| Claiborne Parish, LA | 23.3% | 20.3–26.3 |
| Sioux County, ND | 23.2% | 20.0–26.6 |
| Sharkey County, MS | 23.1% | 20.4–25.7 |
| Quitman County, MS | 23.0% | 19.6–26.3 |
| Claiborne County, MS | 22.9% | 19.5–26.3 |
| Phillips County, AR | 22.8% | 19.6–25.8 |
| Lowndes County, AL | 22.5% | 19.3–25.8 |
| Coahoma County, MS | 22.5% | 19.1–25.8 |
| Jefferson County, MS | 22.5% | 18.8–26.3 |
| Tensas Parish, LA | 22.3% | 19.4–25.3 |
Lowest county estimates
| County | Crude | 95% interval |
|---|---|---|
| Falls Church city, VA | 3.5% | 2.8–4.3 |
| Ozaukee County, WI | 3.6% | 2.9–4.4 |
| Waukesha County, WI | 3.7% | 3.0–4.5 |
| Door County, WI | 4.0% | 3.2–4.8 |
| Washington County, WI | 4.2% | 3.4–5.0 |
| Hunterdon County, NJ | 4.2% | 3.4–5.1 |
| St. Croix County, WI | 4.3% | 3.4–5.2 |
| Highland County, VA | 4.3% | 3.5–5.2 |
| Carver County, MN | 4.3% | 3.5–5.3 |
| Oconee County, GA | 4.3% | 3.4–5.2 |
| Marin County, CA | 4.3% | 3.5–5.3 |
| Arlington County, VA | 4.4% | 3.6–5.3 |
| Summit County, UT | 4.4% | 3.5–5.4 |
| Cavalier County, ND | 4.4% | 3.6–5.3 |
| Forsyth County, GA | 4.4% | 3.6–5.3 |
| Oneida County, WI | 4.5% | 3.6–5.4 |
| Florence County, WI | 4.5% | 3.7–5.4 |
| Dane County, WI | 4.5% | 3.7–5.4 |
| Loudoun County, VA | 4.5% | 3.8–5.4 |
| Goochland County, VA | 4.5% | 3.7–5.5 |
| County | Age-adj. | 95% interval |
|---|---|---|
| Falls Church city, VA | 3.7% | 3.0–4.5 |
| Ozaukee County, WI | 4.1% | 3.3–5.1 |
| Waukesha County, WI | 4.2% | 3.4–5.1 |
| Arlington County, VA | 4.3% | 3.6–5.2 |
| Loudoun County, VA | 4.4% | 3.7–5.3 |
| Forsyth County, GA | 4.4% | 3.6–5.3 |
| St. Croix County, WI | 4.5% | 3.6–5.5 |
| Carver County, MN | 4.5% | 3.6–5.6 |
| Washington County, WI | 4.6% | 3.8–5.6 |
| Oconee County, GA | 4.6% | 3.7–5.6 |
| Summit County, UT | 4.7% | 3.7–5.7 |
| Hunterdon County, NJ | 4.7% | 3.8–5.8 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | 4.7% | 3.9–5.6 |
| Dane County, WI | 4.8% | 3.9–5.8 |
| Los Alamos County, NM | 4.8% | 3.8–5.8 |
| Washington County, MN | 4.8% | 3.9–5.8 |
| San Mateo County, CA | 4.8% | 4.0–5.7 |
| Calumet County, WI | 4.9% | 4.0–5.9 |
| Morgan County, UT | 4.9% | 3.9–6.0 |
| Morris County, NJ | 4.9% | 4.0–6.0 |
Twenty counties at each end by point estimate. Small counties have wide intervals; many of these intervals overlap one another, so the order within each list is not a meaningful ranking. CDC: "the data should not be used for ranking the overall health of any county, place, census tract, or ZCTA."
National estimate by release
| Release | Crude | Age-adjusted | BRFSS year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 release | — | — | — |
| 2023 release | — | — | — |
| 2024 release | 7.5% 7.3–7.7 | 8.2% | 2022 |
| 2025 release | 7.4% 7.2–7.6 | 8.1% | 2023 |
CDC's US row from each release's county file, for reference. Survey questions and modelling details change between releases; see the release pages.
Questions and answers
How does PLACES define "utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults"?
A multi-level regression and post-stratification approach was applied to BRFSS and ACS data to compute a detailed probability among adults who reported that an electric, gas, oil, or water company threatened to shut off services at any time during the prior 12 months. The probability was then applied to the detailed population estimates at the appropriate geographic level to generate the prevalence. The 95% confidence interval was derived using Monte Carlo simulation. Population: All Adults. Time period of case definition: Past 12 months.
What is the national estimate for utility Services Threat?
7.4% (95% confidence interval 7.2–7.6%) crude and 8.1% age-adjusted in the 2025 release.
Which counties have the highest and lowest estimates?
The highest county point estimate is 26.7% (East Carroll Parish, LA) and the lowest 3.5% (Falls Church city, VA). Because the intervals for neighbouring positions usually overlap, the lists are a reference for point estimates, not a ranking.
Is a higher figure better or worse?
This site does not grade measures. CDC groups them as health outcomes, prevention, health risk behaviors, disability, health status and health-related social needs; for prevention measures such as checkups and screening a higher share reports the service, for the others a higher share reports the condition or circumstance.
Where does this data come from?
CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release (data updated 4 Dec 2025); the definition text is CDC's own from its measure definitions pages.
Provenance
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release (data updated 4 Dec 2025), with the 2022, 2023, 2024 releases for reference; US government work, public domain. Dataset on data.cdc.gov. Boundaries and ZIP-to-county relationships: US Census Bureau. Percentages are shown to one decimal as CDC publishes them; state figures are population-weighted means computed by this site. Definition text is CDC's own, from the PLACES measure definitions pages (public domain), with its burden narrative and references omitted. Processing errors are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections. Generated 30 Sep 2026.