Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0Where Deer River residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Deer River, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Deer River. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Deer River
Heart disease, COPD and stroke run high in Deer River
1 in 10 adults have heart disease (10.1%), vs 5.9% across Minnesota. 1 in 11 adults have COPD (9.2%), vs 5.4% across Minnesota. Stroke is also above the state: 5.1%, vs 3.1% across Minnesota. In all, Deer River runs above Minnesota on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Deer River
56.3% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 67.5% across Minnesota. Among those 65 and older, 14.6% have lost all their teeth (Minnesota 8.9%). Deer River’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Deer River
1 in 6 adults worry about having enough food (17.1%), vs 11.4% across Minnesota. Utility shut-off threats (8.1% vs 5.7%) and no reliable transportation (10% vs 7.1%) are higher too. 13.8% 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’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Deer River adults…
Deer River runs above MN on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Deer River 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.
13.8% of Deer River adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Care in and near Deer River
1 hospital in Deer River, plus the nearest just outside it.
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; ≈ 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.
0.8 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
How Deer River adults are doing
About the same as Minnesota on each measure.
3 in 10 Deer River 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 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 Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Morse Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Zemple | — | — | — | — |
Deer River 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 adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Deer River
Why doesn’t Deer River 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.
What hospital is closest to Deer River?
Essentia Health Deer River in Deer River, 0.3 miles in a straight line from Deer River’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.
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.