How healthy is Western?
Western differs from Minnesota on 6 of 40 measures. It has more adults treating high blood pressure (79.1% vs 76.1%). Where it trails the state: more adults with COPD (6.6% vs 5.4%).
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 56522, 56537. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Western
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
Care in and near Western
No hospital or community health center in Western 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 Western; ≈ 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 Western adults…
Western runs above MN on 5 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.
3.5 miles of trails across 10 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Western adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
How Western adults are doing
About the same as Minnesota on each measure.
1 in 3 Western 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.
7.9% of Western adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Western 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Western adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Not graded
Health Grades cover towns with 1,000 or more residents. CDC's estimates for a place of 97 people are less certain, so we show Western's figures without a grade.
All 40 CDC measures for Western
| Measure | Western | Likely range | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 32.2% | 28.8–35.9% | 31% | about the same |
| High cholesterol | 35.8% | 32.2–39.7% | 33.4% | about the same |
| Obesity | 35.3% | 29–42% | 33.5% | about the same |
| Arthritis | 26.4% | 23.6–29.4% | 22.3% | worse |
| Depression | 24.3% | 21.1–27.7% | 24.4% | about the same |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 10.3% | 8.5–12.5% | 8.9% | about the same |
| Asthma | 10.1% | 9–11.4% | 9.9% | about the same |
| Cancer (not skin) | 10.1% | 9.2–11% | 8.5% | worse |
| Diabetes | 11% | 9.5–12.6% | 10.1% | about the same |
| COPD | 6.6% | 5.7–7.6% | 5.4% | worse |
| Heart disease | 7.1% | 6.4–7.9% | 5.9% | worse |
| Stroke | 3.6% | 3.2–4% | 3.1% | worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 15% | 12.8–17.4% | 13.1% | about the same |
| Binge drink | 18.1% | 15.2–21.2% | 17.8% | about the same |
| Get no exercise | 24.8% | 21–28.9% | 22.3% | about the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 29.8% | 24.9–35.3% | 29.2% | about the same |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 75.2% | 71.6–78.4% | 74.8% | about the same |
| Dentist visit | 67.5% | 64.3–70.6% | 67.5% | about the same |
| Cholesterol check | 85.8% | 83.9–87.4% | 85.3% | about the same |
| Colon screening | 72.3% | 68.1–76.4% | 68.7% | about the same |
| Mammogram | 77.3% | 70.3–83.3% | 78.5% | about the same |
| Taking BP meds | 79.1% | 76.3–81.5% | 76.1% | better |
| No health insurance | 7.3% | 6–8.8% | 7.5% | about the same |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Feel lonely | 30.6% | 26.3–35.1% | 31.2% | about the same |
| Lack emotional support | 20.6% | 17.6–23.8% | 21.5% | about the same |
| Frequent mental distress | 15.4% | 13.7–17.4% | 15.1% | about the same |
| Fair or poor health | 17.1% | 14.8–19.7% | 16% | about the same |
| Frequent physical distress | 12.7% | 11.2–14.5% | 11.3% | about the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Food insecurity | 10.8% | 8.9–12.9% | 11.4% | about the same |
| Housing insecurity | 8.5% | 7.2–10% | 9.3% | about the same |
| Utility shut-off threat | 5.6% | 4.7–6.5% | 5.7% | about the same |
| No reliable transportation | 6.8% | 5.8–7.7% | 7.1% | about the same |
| Receive SNAP | 7.9% | 6.6–9.6% | 7.9% | |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 29.8% | 26–33.8% | 27.4% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 13.4% | 11.5–15.4% | 11.4% | |
| Thinking or memory | 13.2% | 11.6–15% | 12.8% | |
| Hearing | 8.3% | 7.4–9.3% | 6.8% | |
| Vision | 4.3% | 3.9–4.9% | 4% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 3.5% | 3.1–4% | 3.1% | |
| Errands alone | 7.8% | 6.8–8.8% | 7% | |
How CDC estimates town health
CDC combines a large national health survey with each area’s age, sex, race and income mix to estimate local rates. Nobody surveyed Western door to door.
Every figure has a likely range. When the Minnesota figure falls inside it, we don’t call Western better or worse.
CDC publishes towns like Western by ZIP code. We weight the ZIP codes that cover Western by how much of its land each one covers.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Western.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
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.