Photo: Not credited · Public domainWhere Bison residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Bison, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Bison. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Bison
Bison is short on every kind of care federal data tracks
Bison’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 ↓
The nearest ER is 34 miles from Bison
The closest emergency room is West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, 33.9 miles away in a straight line. For everyday care, Horizon Health Care is closer (0.1 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Bison
1 in 12 adults have COPD (8.5%), vs 6.7% across South Dakota. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.5%), vs 6.8% across South Dakota. Stroke is also above the state: 4.3%, vs 3.5% across South Dakota. In all, Bison runs above South Dakota on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
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 South Dakota figure falls outside Bison’s likely range.
Care in and near Bison
1 community health center in Bison, 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 Bison; ≈ 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 Bison adults…
Bison runs below SD on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 5. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with South Dakota
Share of adults, with the South Dakota figure marked.
1 mile of trails across 1 park or preserve
Keeping up with care
Share of Bison adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Dakota.
How Bison adults are doing
About the same as South Dakota on each measure.
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.
Bison 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison Township | — | — | — | — |
Bison 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 Bison adults live with a disability (South Dakota 30.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Bison
Why doesn’t Bison have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Bison.
Where can I get low-cost care near Bison?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Horizon Health - Bison in Bison, 0.1 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Bison.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The South Dakota 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.