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Town of ThomsonPhoto: Lorie Shaull · CC BY-SA 4.0
AHealth Grade
Health in Thomson Township · CDC PLACES 2025

On CDC estimates, Thomson Township is healthier than 86% of U.S. towns

Thomson Township beats Minnesota on 9 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and trails on none.

Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 55733, 55810, 55720, 55718. How CDC estimates town health

What stands out · In brief

What stands out about health in Thomson Township

Against towns with similar incomes, Thomson Township’s lead shrinks

Thomson Township is healthier than 86% of U.S. towns, but 70% of the 5,829 towns with similar household incomes ($90K–$149K). Part of its edge is what towns with its incomes tend to have. Health Grade ↓

Fewer Thomson Township adults struggle to make ends meet

Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Minnesota. 1 in 14 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 9 adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓

Thomson Township is the healthiest of the towns around it

Its A tops all four graded neighbors. The closest is Midway Township (B+). Around town ↓

Nearly everyone in Thomson Township is insured

Only 5.2% of adults 18–64 have no health insurance, vs 7.5% across Minnesota. Checkups ↓

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 Thomson Township’s likely range; Thomson Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 55733, 55810, 55720, 55718, which may reach past town lines; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B to A+.

Health Grade

What’s behind Thomson Township’s grade

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Thomson Township is healthier than 86% of U.S. towns, #73 of 271 in Minnesota. All seven estimates beat the typical U.S. town. The strongest is fair or poor health (fewer adults who rate their health fair or poor than 93% of towns); the weakest is obesity, still better than 54%.

ASelf-rated health13.2% · MN 16% · U.S. 19.4%
APhysical distress10.6% · MN 11.3% · U.S. 13%
AMental distress14.3% · MN 15.1% · U.S. 15.9%
B−Obesity35.7% · MN 33.5% · U.S. 32.9%
ADiabetes9.5% · MN 10.1% · U.S. 12%
B+Smoking12.1% smoke · MN 13.1% · U.S. 11.8%
A−Exercise19.8% · MN 22.3% · U.S. 24.7%
All U.S. towns we grade (21,250)Healthier than 86%
Less healthyHealthier
Minnesota towns we grade (271)Healthier than 73%
U.S. towns with similar incomes, $90K–$149K (5,829)Healthier than 70%

Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Thomson Township’s median household income is $119,338; among the 5,829 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($90K–$149K), it’s healthier than 70%, about where its income would put it.

A fairly firm grade. With every estimate at the unfavorable or the favorable end of CDC’s likely range, Thomson Township could be anywhere from B to A+. These are ZIP code figures (ZIP 55733,55810,55720,55718), weighted by land area, which can reach past town lines.

How TownRatings grades health →

Everyday needs

Making ends meet

Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.

1 in 14
Thomson Township adults worry about having enough food
7.3% · MN 11.4%
Better than MN
1 in 15
Thomson Township adults worry about keeping their housing
6.7% · MN 9.3%
Better than MN
1 in 23
Thomson Township adults were threatened with a utility shut-off
4.3% · MN 5.7%
Better than MN
1 in 19
Thomson Township adults lack reliable transportation
5.3% · MN 7.1%
Better than MN

4.9% of Thomson Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.

Around town

Thomson Township and the towns around it

Thomson Township has the best Health Grade of the 5 graded towns around it.

Twin Lakes Township: 37.4%Carlton: 35.6%Cloquet: 39.1%Scanlon: 38.8%Solway Township: 37%Midway Township: 34.9%Silver Brook Township: 38%Duluth: 35.1%Blackhoof Township: 38.1%Atkinson Township: 38%Wrenshall: 37.3%Superior: 41.1%Perch Lake Township: 39.5%Brevator Township: 38.2%Grand Lake Township: 35.6%Hermantown: 33.2%Proctor: 34.8%Thomson Township: 35.7%Thomson TownshipTwin Lakes TownshipCarltonCloquetScanlonSolway TownshipMidway TownshipCommunity Memorial Hospital · Cloquet · 4.9 miHSt. Marys Hospital Superior · Superior · 12.2 miHEssentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center · Duluth · 13.7 mi · 4★ MedicareHEssentia Health Duluth · Duluth · 13.8 miHLake Superior Community Health Center White Pine Clinic · Carlton · 4.6 mi+
Healthier than MNNear MNLess healthyHHospital+Health center
Obesity
#7 of 18 towns on this map, healthiest first
Midway Township34.9%
Carlton35.6%
Thomson Township35.7%
Solway Township37%
Twin Lakes Township37.4%
Scanlon38.8%
Cloquet39.1%
MN33.5%

Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.

Health next door

TownHealthObesityDiabetesSmokingFigures from
Thomson TownshipA35.7%9.5%12.1%ZIP codes
Twin Lakes TownshipB37.4%11.9%14.6%ZIP codes
Carlton————
CloquetC+39.1%11.8%17.2%CDC place
Scanlon————
Solway TownshipB37%11.3%16.1%ZIP codes
Midway TownshipB+34.9%10.6%14.6%ZIP 55810

Carlton: fewer than 1,000 residents. Scanlon: not graded. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.

Checkups & screenings

Keeping up with care

Share of Thomson Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.

74%Yearly checkupMN 75%
73%Dentist visitMN 68%
87%Cholesterol checkMN 85%
72%Colon screeningMN 69%
81%MammogramMN 79%
76%Taking BP medsMN 76%
1 in 19
working-age adults has no health insurance
Thomson Township 5.2% · Minnesota 1 in 13 (7.5%)
Chronic conditions

Out of every 100 Thomson Township adults…

Thomson Township runs below MN on 1 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.

3 of every 100 Thomson Township adults have had a stroke
Minnesota: 3 in 100 · better · likely 2.4–3%
Better than MNWorseAbout the sameMinnesota
Getting care

Care in and near Thomson Township

No hospital or community health center in Thomson Township itself. These are the nearest.

HNearest ERCommunity Memorial HospitalCloquet · 4.9 miDirections →
★Best rated nearbyEssentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center★★★★★ · 13.7 miDirections →
+Low-cost careLake Superior Community Health CenterCarlton · 4.6 mi · sliding-scale feesDirections →
4.6 mi
Lake Superior Community Health Center
5 sites · nearest in Carlton
Sliding-scale fees
Directions to nearest
4.9 mi
Community Memorial Hospital
Cloquet · not rated
ERRural critical access
12.2 mi
St. Marys Hospital Superior
Superior · not rated
ERRural critical access
13.7 mi
Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center
Duluth · ★★★★★
ER
13.8 mi
Essentia Health Duluth
Duluth · not rated
28.1 mi
Lakes Community Health Center, Inc the
2 sites · nearest in Poplar
Sliding-scale fees
Directions to nearest
✓ Primary careThomson Township is not a shortage area
✓ Dental careThomson Township is not a shortage area
✓ Mental healthNo HRSA shortage area covers Thomson Township itself

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 Thomson 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).

Habits

Everyday habits, side by side with Minnesota

Share of adults, with the Minnesota figure marked.

Get no exercise 19.8%MN 22.3%
Sleep under 7 hours 32%MN 29.2%
Binge drink 20.8%MN 17.8%
Smoke cigarettes 12.1%MN 13.1%
0%10%20%30%40%
Thomson Township, betterThomson Township, worseAbout the sameMinnesota
Where Thomson Township gets moving

19 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves

Parks & trails →
Mind & connection

How Thomson Township adults are doing

About the same as Minnesota on each measure.

3 in 10Thomson Township adults feel lonely
30.3% · MN 31.2% · About the same as MN
1 in 5Thomson Township adults lack social or emotional support
18.5% · MN 21.5% · About the same as MN
1 in 4Thomson Township adults have been diagnosed with depression
25.9% · MN 24.4% · About the same as MN
1 in 7Thomson Township adults are in frequent mental distress
14.3% · MN 15.1% · About the same as MN
The one neighbors can help with

3 in 10 Thomson Township adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.

Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.

Find a group →

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.

Disability

Living with a disability

Shown without a better/worse judgment.

25%

of Thomson Township adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Thinking or memory is the most common.

Walking or climbing stairs10.2%
Thinking or memory11.1%
Hearing6.3%
Errands alone5.8%
Vision3.1%
Dressing or bathing2.5%
Minnesota

Every CDC estimate for Thomson Township

Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.

On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Thomson Township is better than Minnesota on 9 and worse on 0; on the rest, the Minnesota figure falls inside Thomson Township’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.

Adults who…Thomson TownshipMNU.S.vs MN
Overall health
Fair or poor health13.2%11.2–15.316%19.4%Better
Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month)10.6%9.2–12.111.3%13%About the same
Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month)14.3%12.5–16.115.1%15.9%About the same
Conditions
Obesity35.7%30.3–41.333.5%32.9%About the same
Diabetes9.5%8.1–10.810.1%12%About the same
High blood pressure29.8%26.5–33.231%34.4%About the same
High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years)32.7%29.3–36.333.4%37.1%About the same
Arthritis22.5%19.8–25.122.3%25.3%About the same
Asthma10.2%9–11.49.9%9.9%About the same
Cancer, other than skin cancer9.2%8.4–10.28.5%7.9%About the same
Coronary heart disease5.4%4.8–6.15.9%6.4%About the same
COPD4.7%4–5.45.4%6.3%About the same
Stroke2.7%2.4–33.1%3.4%Better
Lost all teeth (ages 65+)8%6.4–9.88.9%12.3%About the same
Habits
Smoke cigarettes12.1%9.8–14.313.1%11.8%About the same
No exercise outside work19.8%16.4–23.322.3%24.7%About the same
Binge drinking20.8%17.6–24.117.8%15.4%About the same
Sleep under 7 hours32%27.4–36.829.2%36%About the same
Checkups and coverage
No health insurance (ages 18–64)5.2%4.2–6.57.5%11%Better
Checkup in the past year74.2%70.7–77.574.8%77.4%About the same
Dentist visit in the past year73.1%70.4–75.867.5%63.2%Better
Cholesterol check in 5 years87.2%85.6–88.885.3%87.1%Better
Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure)76.1%72.8–78.976.1%76.5%About the same
Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75)72.2%68.2–75.868.7%65.5%About the same
Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74)80.6%74.7–85.678.5%76.4%About the same
Mind and connection
Ever told they have depression25.9%22.4–29.324.4%20.6%About the same
Feel lonely30.3%26.5–34.631.2%32.5%About the same
Lack social and emotional support18.5%16–21.621.5%23.6%About the same
Everyday needs
Worried about having enough food7.3%5.9–8.811.4%15%Better
Worried about keeping housing6.7%5.5–89.3%12%Better
Threatened with a utility shut-off4.3%3.6–5.15.7%7.6%Better
Lack reliable transportation5.3%4.6–6.17.1%7.9%Better
Received SNAP (food stamps)4.9%3.9–67.9%11.6%Lower
Disability
Any disability25%21.5–28.427.4%30.1%About the same
Difficulty walking or climbing stairs10.2%8.7–11.711.4%13.6%About the same
Difficulty concentrating or remembering11.1%9.6–12.712.8%13.9%Lower
Hearing difficulty6.3%5.6–7.16.8%6.7%About the same
Vision difficulty3.1%2.7–3.44%5.4%Lower
Difficulty doing errands alone5.8%5.1–6.67%7.9%Lower
Difficulty dressing or bathing2.5%2.2–2.93.1%3.8%Lower

Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Minnesota figure falls inside that range.

Questions about health in Thomson Township

Is Thomson Township a healthy place to live?

On seven CDC estimates for adults, Thomson Township is healthier than 86% of U.S. towns: A for health, #73 of 271 in Minnesota. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 70%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.

What is the obesity rate in Thomson Township?

CDC estimates 35.7% of adults have obesity, likely between 30.3% and 41.3%, against 33.5% across Minnesota and 32.9% nationally.

What hospital is closest to Thomson Township?

Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, 4.9 miles in a straight line from Thomson Township’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.

How many people in Thomson Township have no health insurance?

CDC estimates 5.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 4.2–6.5%), against 7.5% across Minnesota.

How accurate are these numbers?

They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Thomson Township more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B to A+.

Neighbors talk health

Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Thomson Township.

Town Square →
Ask your neighbors

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. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. 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.