Where Merton Township residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Merton Township, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 57225, 57271, 57278. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Merton Township
The nearest ER is 27 miles from Merton Township
The closest emergency room is Avera De Smet Memorial Hospital - Cah in De Smet, 26.7 miles away in a straight line. Getting care ↓
Heart disease, COPD and stroke run high in Merton Township
1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.4%), vs 6.8% across South Dakota. 1 in 12 adults have COPD (8.2%), vs 6.7% across South Dakota. Stroke is also above the state: 4.2%, vs 3.5% across South Dakota. In all, Merton Township runs above South Dakota on four of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Merton Township is short on primary care and mental health care
Merton Township’s county is a federal shortage area for primary care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
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 Merton Township’s likely range; Merton Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 57225, 57271, 57278, which may reach past town lines.
Care in and near Merton Township
No hospital or community health center in Merton 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 Merton 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).
Out of every 100 Merton Township adults…
Merton Township runs above SD on 5 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with South Dakota
Share of adults, with the South Dakota figure marked.
6.9 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Merton Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Dakota.
How Merton Township 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.
Merton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foxton Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Day Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Darlington Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Lake Township | — | — | — | — |
Foxton Township, Day Township, Darlington Township and 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 Merton Township adults live with a disability (South Dakota 30.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Merton Township
Why doesn’t Merton 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 Merton Township.
What hospital is closest to Merton Township?
Avera De Smet Memorial Hospital - Cah in De Smet, 26.7 miles in a straight line from Merton Township’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 Merton Township.
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.