MN · Healthcare shortage profile
Morrison County, MN
Home to 34,010 residents, with 10 active HRSA shortage designations.
- Active HPSAs
- 10
- Population
- 34,010
- Peak shortage score
- 18.0
- MUA Index
- 45.1
Heavy-burden verdict
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Morrison County ranks among the most underserved counties in the country - 10 active HPSA designations, more than 83% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.
- 10
- Active HPSA designations
- 3
- Mental-health shortages
- 18
- Peak severity score (of 26)
- Top 17%
- US counties by volume
Morrison County vs. every real US county
Total active HPSA designations, including counties with none
10 Top 17% higher than 83% of 3,289 real US counties
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more real US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source HRSA Data Warehouse, designated HPSAs · 2026
State peer position. Morrison County falls in the upper quarter of MN counties by active-designation volume, at rank 16 of 85. Ties share a rank; the comparison uses the same current designated records as the national chart.
Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 27097. Population: 34,010.
Single high-priority discipline
Morrison County's only high-priority (≥17) footprint is mental health
Current HRSA Data Warehouse rows attribute 3 active mental health designations to Morrison County , with a peak score of 18.0. Other care categories may still be designated here, but none of them clear HRSA's high-priority score line of 17 on the current release, NHSC and related instruments concentrate on the mental health records.
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 10 active (designated) HPSAs in Morrison County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.
| Name | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Lakewood Clinic Motley | mental_health | 18.0 |
| Region 5 Mental Health Service Area | mental_health | 16.0 |
| Mille Lacs Family Clinic | mental_health | 16.0 |
| Lakewood Clinic Motley | dental | 16.0 |
| Mille Lacs Family Clinic | primary_care | 15.0 |
| Mille Lacs Family Clinic | dental | 15.0 |
| LI-Mille Lacs SA | primary_care | 13.0 |
| Morrison County | dental | 13.0 |
| Lakewood Clinic Motley | primary_care | 11.0 |
| West Morrison County | primary_care | 10.0 |
Heavy-burden reading for Morrison County
Morrison County's severest measured gap is in mental health, scored 18.0 of 25, past the 17-point line HRSA uses to open National Health Service Corps placement and enhanced Medicare reimbursement. Primary care reads 15.0 of 25; Dental care reads 16.0 of 26. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 45.1, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.
Volume places Morrison County above 83% of real US counties (10 active designations: 4 primary care, 3 mental health, 3 dental). Peak severity on the current designated set is 18.0. 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.
Morrison County falls in the upper quarter of MN counties by active-designation volume, at rank 16 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.
Acting on Morrison County's high-priority mental health
Morrison County's shortage designations unlock specific federal programs and comparisons, here is how to act on them.
- Morrison County's high-priority mental health designations are where NHSC placement geography concentrates, estimate the award and service terms. NHSC estimator
- See how the county's mental health burden compares with the rest of MN before drawing conclusions from a single score. MN overview
- Check the provider-to-population ratio behind an HPSA score against HRSA's designation thresholds. HPSA ratio checker
HPSA scores describe shortage severity within HRSA's designation criteria, not the availability of any individual provider. For a specific appointment, contact a provider or your insurer; use HRSA's current tools to verify a designation.
Counties With a Similar Mental Health Shortage Score
Other U.S. counties whose active HRSA mental-health HPSA score is closest to Morrison County's 18.0. This compares the designation score only, not local appointment availability or care quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morrison County a Medically Underserved Area?
Yes, Morrison County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 45.1. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.
How many healthcare shortage areas does Morrison County have?
Morrison County, MN has 10 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 4 in primary care, 3 in mental health, and 3 in dental care, according to HRSA data.
What does Morrison County's HPSA score of 18.0 mean?
18.0 in mental health clears 17, HRSA's high-priority line, which is what makes providers here eligible for NHSC placement and enhanced reimbursement.
What healthcare providers are needed in Morrison County?
Based on HRSA shortage designations, Morrison 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 Morrison County's designations unlock?
Morrison County's 10 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 Morrison County compare to other counties in MN?
Morrison County has 10 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 18.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in MN on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Morrison 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: 27097. 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.