Polk County, Minnesota is a rural county located in the northwest corner of the state. The county has a population of about 17,000 people spread out over its 726 square mile area. Despite its small size, Polk County has a variety of healthcare options for residents. There are several local hospitals and medical facilities that provide high-quality care to patients living in the county. These hospitals offer comprehensive services ranging from emergency services to preventative care and specialty services such as cardiology and oncology. Additionally, there are numerous clinics in the area that provide routine check-ups and treatments for minor ailments or injuries. Residents also have access to mental health services through counselors and psychologists, if needed. All of these resources help ensure Polk County residents have access to the healthcare they need close to home.
The health of a city has many different factors. It can refer to air quality, water quality, risk of getting respiratory disease or cancer. The people you live around can also affect your health as some places have lower or higher rates of physical activity, increased alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and cancer rates.
Physicians per Capita
There are 67 physicians per 100,000 population in Polk County. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Polk County area is 85.5 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
85.5 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Polk County area is 54 (100=best). The US average is 55.
54 / 100
Note that this is a measure of Watershed quality, not the water that comes from your faucet. The EPA has stated that a healthy watershed is closely related to drinking water quality. The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators such as pH, chemicals, metals, and bacteria.
Superfund Index
The annual BestPlaces Superfund Index for the Polk County area is 95 (100=best). The US average is 87.
95 / 100
The EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of our nation's most contaminated land. Our index is based on the number of active Superfund sites (over 15,000 in the United States), with particular attention paid to those on the National Priorities List which pose the greatest health danger.
Quick Facts
Commuting can effect your health. The average person in Polk County commutes 18.7 minutes one-way, which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Polk County area is 86 (100=best). The US average is 58.
86 / 100
This is based on new measures of hazardous air pollutants from the EPA, called the National Air Toxics Assessment. This analysis models respiratory illness and cancer risk down to the zip code level, providing better detail and insight than the previous analysis based solely on results from air monitoring stations.