Where Dakota residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Dakota, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Dakota. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Dakota
Dakota is short on primary care and mental health care
Dakota’s county is a federal shortage area for primary care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
Cancer runs high in Dakota
1 in 10 adults have had cancer (10%), vs 8.5% across Minnesota. Conditions ↓
Fewer Dakota adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Minnesota. 1 in 13 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 9 adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Minnesota figure falls outside Dakota’s likely range.
Care in and near Dakota
No hospital or community health center in Dakota 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 Dakota; ≈ 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).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
5.2% of Dakota adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Out of every 100 Dakota adults…
Dakota runs below MN on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Minnesota
Share of adults, with the Minnesota figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Dakota adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
How Dakota adults are doing
About the same as Minnesota on each measure.
3 in 10 Dakota adults feel lonely. 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.
Dakota and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hartford Township | — | — | — | — |
New Hartford Township: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Dakota adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Dakota
Why doesn’t Dakota have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Dakota.
What hospital is closest to Dakota?
Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Medical Center in La Crosse, 9.1 miles in a straight line from Dakota’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Dakota?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Scenic Bluffs Health Centers Inc- Reach Lacrosse in La Crosse, 8.8 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Dakota.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Minnesota 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.