MN · Healthcare shortage profile
Cook County, MN
Home to 5,600 residents, with 8 active HRSA shortage designations.
- Active HPSAs
- 8
- Population
- 5,600
- Peak shortage score
- 16.0
- MUA Index
- 57.7
Heavy-burden verdict
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Cook County carries a heavier shortage burden than most US counties - 8 active HPSA designations, more than 73% of the 3,289 real US counties, with mental health the deepest gap.
- 8
- Active HPSA designations
- 3
- Mental-health shortages
- 16
- Peak severity score (of 26)
- Top 27%
- US counties by volume
Corpus placement
Designated volume without a high-priority score
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Cook County carries 8 active designations, above 73% of real US counties. None of those scores clear HRSA's high-priority line of 17 on this release, so the page leads with severity reading rather than a national distribution chart.
State peer position. Cook County falls in the upper half of MN counties by active-designation volume, at rank 28 of 85. Ties share a rank.
Computed from current designated HPSA rows for every five-digit county FIPS. See the placement methodology.
Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 27031. Population: 5,600.
Below high-priority line
Cook County is designated, but no active score clears 17
8 active designations sit on this FIPS (2 primary care, 3 mental health, 3 dental), and the peak severity is 16.0. That is a formal shortage footprint without HRSA's high-priority (≥17) tier, so NHSC placement geography is usually weaker here than on counties whose lead score clears the line.
Medically Underserved Area
Peak severity scores
Current designated records only. Scores range 0–25 (primary/mental health), 0–26 (dental). Higher = greater need.
Highest-severity HPSA designations
All 8 active (designated) HPSAs in Cook County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.
| Name | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| LI-Region 3 Arrowhead | mental_health | 16.0 |
| Sawtooth Mountain Clinic | primary_care | 14.0 |
| Grand Portage Health Center | mental_health | 13.0 |
| Sawtooth Mountain Clinic | mental_health | 11.0 |
| Grand Portage Health Center | dental | 10.0 |
| Sawtooth Mountain Clinic | dental | 8.0 |
| Grand Portage | dental | 6.0 |
| Grand Portage Health Center | primary_care | 3.0 |
Heavy-burden reading for Cook County
Cook County's severest measured gap is in mental health, scored 16.0 of 25, still short of the 17-point priority line, though the designation itself is formal. Primary care reads 14.0 of 25; Dental care reads 10.0 of 26. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 57.7, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.
Volume places Cook County above 73% of real US counties (8 active designations: 2 primary care, 3 mental health, 3 dental). Peak severity on the current designated set is 16.0. The table on this page lists the highest-severity records first so a reader can see which named facilities, geographies, or population groups drive that burden without treating the county total as a personal appointment forecast.
Cook County falls in the upper half of MN counties by active-designation volume, at rank 28 of 85. Heavy-burden counties are where NHSC placement, Community Health Center grant geography, and related federal instruments concentrate; eligibility still follows the designated area and provider type, not the county boundary alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cook County a Medically Underserved Area?
Yes, Cook County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 57.7. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.
How many healthcare shortage areas does Cook County have?
Cook County, MN has 8 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 2 in primary care, 3 in mental health, and 3 in dental care, according to HRSA data.
What does Cook County's HPSA score of 16.0 mean?
16.0 in mental health falls under 17, so the shortage is formally designated but outside HRSA's high-priority tier.
What healthcare providers are needed in Cook County?
Based on HRSA shortage designations, Cook County needs additional providers in primary care (family physicians, internists, pediatricians), mental health (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers), and dental care (dentists, dental hygienists). The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment and scholarship programs for providers who serve in designated shortage areas.
Which federal programs do Cook County's designations unlock?
Cook County's 8 active designations open NHSC placement, Community Health Center grants, the Medicare bonus and J-1 waivers, but eligibility follows the designated area and provider type, not the county line.
How does Cook County compare to other counties in MN?
Cook County has 8 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 16.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in MN on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Cook County stands relative to the rest of the country.
Next read: The Mental-Health Provider Shortage · MN state overview · NHSC loan repayment
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 27031. PlainHealthAccess is not affiliated with HRSA or any government agency.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the HRSA Data Warehouse. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.