Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0Where Willow River residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Willow River, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Willow River. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Willow River
Willow River is short on every kind of care federal data tracks
Willow River’s county is a federal shortage area for primary care, dental care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
COPD, heart disease and arthritis run high in Willow River
1 in 14 adults have COPD (7.2%), vs 5.4% across Minnesota. 1 in 14 adults have heart disease (7.4%), vs 5.9% across Minnesota. Arthritis is also above the state: 27.6%, vs 22.3% across Minnesota. In all, Willow River runs above Minnesota on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Willow River
1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (16.4%), 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 Willow River’s likely range.
Care in and near Willow River
No hospital or community health center in Willow River 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 Willow 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).
Out of every 100 Willow River adults…
Willow River runs above MN on 6 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.
2.9 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Willow River adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
How Willow River adults are doing
About the same as Minnesota on each measure.
1 in 3 Willow 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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
8.5% of Willow River adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Willow 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle River Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Sturgeon Lake Township | — | — | — | — |
Kettle River Township and Sturgeon Lake 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 Willow River adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Willow River
Why doesn’t Willow 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 Willow River.
What hospital is closest to Willow River?
Essentia Health Moose Lake in Moose Lake, 9.3 miles in a straight line from Willow 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 Willow 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.