Polk County Health Data
Polk County, Minnesota
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
82/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
76.9 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.6%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
76.9 yr
State avg 78.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.6%
State avg 6.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
55
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
270
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
14.3%
State avg 14.8%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
38.8
per 100K residentsCDC: 55.3 per 100K
Dentists
12.9
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
12.9
per 100K residents
Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.
Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health
These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Polk County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 39.7% | 37.0% | 37.6% | 2.7 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 9.2% | 9.3% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 27.4% | 28.6% | 33.5% | 1.2 pts better than state |
| Depression | 25.7% | 25.3% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 20.7% | 20.3% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 24.6% | 24.1% | 27.0% | near state average |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 71.9% | 72.0% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 67.0% | 64.7% | 57.3% | 2.3 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 79.1% | 77.1% | 73.3% | 2.0 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 16.9% | 17.0% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 33.1% | 31.5% | 37.3% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Polk County nationally on obesity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Life Expectancy in Polk County Trails State Average
Health data brief for Polk County, Minnesota.
Life expectancy in Polk County is 76.9 years, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 78.7 years and just below the national average of 77 years. The county reports an uninsured rate of 5.6%, which is slightly lower than the state average of 6.0% and about half the national average of 10%. Access to care includes 55 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, lower than the national median of 70, and 270 mental health providers per 100,000, which is higher than the national median of 250. The percentage of adults reporting poor or fair health is 14.3%, lower than the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Polk County, Minnesota
Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Riverview Hospital
EREssentia Health Fosston
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Polk County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.