Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0Where Deer River Township residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Deer River Township, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 56636. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Deer River Township
COPD, heart disease and diabetes run high in Deer River Township
1 in 11 adults have COPD (8.9%), vs 5.4% across Minnesota. 1 in 11 adults have heart disease (9.5%), vs 5.9% across Minnesota. Diabetes is also above the state: 16.1%, vs 10.1% across Minnesota. In all, Deer River Township runs above Minnesota on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 25% of residents are 65 or older (Minnesota 17%), and COPD, heart disease and diabetes are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Deer River Township
59.6% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 67.5% across Minnesota. Among those 65 and older, 13.9% have lost all their teeth (Minnesota 8.9%). Deer River Township’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Deer River Township
1 in 6 adults worry about having enough food (16.4%), vs 11.4% across Minnesota. Utility shut-off threats (7.9% vs 5.7%) and no reliable transportation (9.5% vs 7.1%) are higher too. 12.9% of adults receive SNAP, vs 7.9% 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 Deer River Township’s likely range; Deer River Township’s figures come from ZIP code 56636, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Deer River Township adults…
Deer River Township runs above MN on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Deer River Township is an older town: 25% of residents are 65 or older, vs 17% across Minnesota. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Deer River Township as about how healthy they are.
Keeping up with care
Share of Deer River Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
12.9% of Deer River Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Care in and near Deer River Township
No hospital or community health center in Deer River Township 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 Deer River Township; ≈ 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).
Everyday habits, side by side with Minnesota
Share of adults, with the Minnesota figure marked.
1.1 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
How Deer River Township adults are doing
About the same as Minnesota on each measure.
3 in 10 Deer River Township 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.
Deer River Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer River | — | — | — | — | |
| Oteneagen Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Morse Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Zemple | — | — | — | — |
Deer River, Oteneagen Township, Morse Township and Zemple: 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 Deer River Township adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Deer River Township
Why doesn’t Deer River Township have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Deer River Township.
What hospital is closest to Deer River Township?
Essentia Health Deer River in Deer River, 3.7 miles in a straight line from Deer River Township’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Deer River Township.
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.