Where Foster Township residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Foster Township, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 56097, 56014, 56009. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Foster Township
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Foster Township
1 in 12 adults have COPD (8.2%), vs 5.4% across Minnesota. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.5%), vs 5.9% across Minnesota. Stroke is also above the state: 4.3%, vs 3.1% across Minnesota. In all, Foster Township runs above Minnesota on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Foster Township adults get no exercise
3 in 10 adults get no exercise outside work (29.5%), vs 22.3% across Minnesota. Habits ↓
Smoking is more common in Foster Township
1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (17.3%), vs 13.1% across Minnesota. Habits ↓
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 Foster Township’s likely range; Foster Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 56097, 56014, 56009, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Foster Township adults…
Foster Township runs above MN on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
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
Care in and near Foster Township
No hospital or community health center in Foster 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 Foster 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Foster Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
How Foster Township adults are doing
About the same as Minnesota on each measure.
1 in 3 Foster 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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
11.1% of Foster Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Foster 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiester Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Brush Creek Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Clark Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Alden Township | — | — | — | — |
Kiester Township, Brush Creek Township, Clark Township and Alden 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 Foster Township adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Foster Township
Why doesn’t Foster 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 Foster Township.
What hospital is closest to Foster Township?
Mayo Clinic Health System - Albert Lea and Austin in Albert Lea, 17.4 miles in a straight line from Foster Township’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Foster 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.