Kidney diseases affect hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans across a broad spectrum—from early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) that often goes undetected for years, to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis or a transplant to survive, to kidney cancer. Despite representing just 1% of Medicare patients, individuals with kidney disease account for 7% of total Medicare spending, reflecting both the severity and the high cost of care these conditions demand.
Minnesota faces a kidney disease landscape that is both large in scale and deeply unequal in distribution. The burden falls disproportionately on older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with lower educational attainment, and residents of rural communities—patterns that run consistently across CKD mortality, cancer incidence, and access to transplant care.
This article consolidates statistics from multiple reporting years to present a comprehensive picture of kidney disease in Minnesota, covering prevalence, end-stage renal failure, transplant activity, kidney cancer, CKD mortality trends and the financial impact on patients, families, and the healthcare system.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
CKD is the most prevalent and least-detected form of kidney disease. It advances without symptoms in its early stages, often going undetected until organ function is severely compromised. CKD is also a major contributing factor in deaths from heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Prevalence and Awareness
- An estimated 1 in 7 Minnesota adults—approximately 642,000 people—have chronic kidney disease
- Roughly 90% are unaware of their condition
- Only 3.7% of Minnesotans report having ever been told by a health professional that they have kidney disease (excluding kidney stones, bladder infections, and incontinence),
- Minnesota’s national rank: #16 among all U.S. states
- The gap between the estimated true prevalence (~14%) and the self-reported rate (3.7%) reflects widespread underdiagnosis: CKD progresses silently, and most cases go undetected until the disease is advanced
CKD as a Contributing Factor in Other Diseases
CKD’s presence alongside stroke, heart disease, and diabetes at time of death has risen sharply over two decades.
| Period | Stroke Deaths with CKD | Heart Disease Deaths with CKD | Diabetes Deaths with CKD |
| 2000–2004 | 175 (1.4%) | 2,538 (3.9%) | 560 (11.8%) |
| 2005–2009 | 155 (1.5%) | 2,199 (4.5%) | 654 (12.0%) |
| 2010–2014 | 357 (3.5%) | 4,354 (9.2%) | 1,369 (24.4%) |
| 2015–2019 | 741 (6.9%) | 7,622 (14.9%) | 2,273 (35.6%) |
| 2020–2023 | 907 (10.1%) | 9,135 (20.4%) | 2,316 (39.4%) |
Among Minnesotans who died from diabetes in 2020–2023, CKD was a contributing factor in nearly 40% of cases—up from 11.8% in 2000–2004. CKD now co-occurs in 1 in 5 heart disease deaths in Minnesota, and in about 1 in 10 stroke deaths, underscoring its deep clinical relationship with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Kidney Failure (End-Stage Renal Disease)
Kidney failure is the most severe stage of kidney disease, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to sustain life. Without treatment, it is fatal.
Prevalence Over Time
The total number of Minnesotans living with kidney failure has increased by approximately 25.9% since 2010.
| Report Year | Total with Kidney Failure | On Dialysis | Living with Transplant |
| 2021 | 10,262 | 5,491 | 4,771 |
| 2023 | 10,509 | 5,623 (53.5%) | 4,886 (46.5%) |
| 2024 | 10,561 | 5,624 | 4,937 |
| 2025 | 10,586 | 5,512 | 5,074 |
| 2026 | 10,871 | 5,616 | 5,255 |
The total kidney failure population grew by 609 between 2021 and 2026. The number of patients living with a transplant increased from 4,771 to 5,255 over this period, partly reflecting increased transplant activity. In each reporting year, more than half of all kidney failure patients are managed through dialysis.
New Cases
Each year, well over 1,300 Minnesotans receive a new kidney failure diagnosis.
| Diagnosis Year | New Cases | Received Transplant | Began Dialysis |
| 2018 | 1,341 | 101 (7.5%) | 1,240 (92.5%) |
| 2020 | 1,496 | 81 (5.4%) | 1,415 (94.6%) |
| 2021 | 1,485 | 109 (7.3%) | 1,376 (92.7%) |
| 2022 | 1,402 | 98 (7.0%) | 1,304 (93.0%) |
| 2023 | 1,514 | 109 (7.2%) | 1,405 (92.8%) |
In every reported year, more than 92% of newly diagnosed kidney failure patients begin dialysis rather than receiving a transplant. Only 5–8% receive a transplant at diagnosis, highlighting the persistent gap between transplant supply and the demand for this more effective treatment option.
Leading Causes and Risk Factors
The primary drivers of kidney failure in Minnesota are consistent across all reporting years.
Leading Causes and their Share of Kidney Failure Cases
- Diabetes: 43–47%
- High blood pressure (hypertension): 29–30%
Additional Population-Level Risk Factors in Minnesota
- 8.8% of Minnesotans are diagnosed with diabetes
- 28.7% have high blood pressure
- 30.1% self-report as obese
Together, diabetes and hypertension account for approximately 73–77% of all kidney failure cases. Both conditions are preventable or manageable, making primary prevention a key lever for reducing ESRD incidence in Minnesota.
Kidney Cancer in Minnesota
Kidney and renal pelvis cancer is among the top 10 newly diagnosed cancers for both men and women in Minnesota.
Incidence Statistics
| Indicator | Minnesota | National |
| New cases (2016) | 1,099 | — |
| Age-adjusted incidence rate (2018–2022) | 18.4 per 100,000 | 17.5 per 100,000 |
| Average annual new cases (2018–2022) | 1,278 | — |
| Recent 5-year incidence trend | Rising +1.5%/year | Falling −1.0%/year |
Minnesota’s kidney cancer incidence exceeds the national average and is rising against a backdrop of falling national rates.
Historical Incidence Rates (1997–2016)
The pace of new diagnoses has slowed considerably since the late 1990s.
| Period | Annual Percent Change in Incidence |
| 1997–2003 | +4.8% per year |
| 2003–2016 | +1.3% per year |
Historical Age-Adjusted Incidence Rates (per 100,000)
| Year | Rate | Year | Rate |
| 1997 | ~11.5 | 2007 | ~15.5 |
| 1998 | ~12.0 | 2008 | ~14.5 |
| 1999 | ~12.5 | 2009 | ~14.5 |
| 2000 | ~13.5 | 2010 | ~15.0 |
| 2001 | ~14.0 | 2011 | ~15.0 |
| 2002 | ~14.5 | 2012 | ~15.5 |
| 2003 | ~14.5 | 2013 | ~16.0 |
| 2004 | ~14.5 | 2014 | ~18.0 |
| 2005 | ~15.0 | 2015 | ~17.5 |
| 2006 | ~16.5 | 2016 | ~16.5 |
After a rapid rise in the late 1990s, incidence growth slowed markedly after 2003. Despite the slower rate, the absolute incidence in 2016 (~16.5) remains approximately 43% above the 1997 baseline (~11.5).
Incidence by Demographics
By Age and Sex (2012–2016)
- Overall age-adjusted incidence: men = 24 per 100,000; women = 11 per 100,000
- Highest rate: men aged 80–84 (110.4 per 100,000)
| Age Group | Men (per 100,000) | Women (per 100,000) |
| 35–39 | 7.9 | 6.2 |
| 40–44 | 13.2 | 6.8 |
| 45–49 | 23.2 | 10.9 |
| 50–54 | 35.9 | 15.0 |
| 55–59 | 46.8 | 24.1 |
| 60–64 | 65.2 | 27.0 |
| 65–69 | 86.7 | 40.4 |
| 70–74 | 98.5 | 50.1 |
| 75–79 | 106.4 | 45.8 |
| 80–84 | 110.4 | 50.0 |
| 85+ | 101.3 | 35.7 |
Men have kidney cancer incidence rates more than twice those of women across all age groups. Risk rises steeply after age 45 in men and after age 50 in women, peaking in the 80–84 age group for men before declining slightly at 85+. Older males are Minnesota’s highest-risk demographic for kidney cancer.
By Race/Ethnicity (2007–2016)
| Race/Ethnicity | Incidence Rate (per 100,000) |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 36.8 |
| Hispanic (All Races) | 21.0 |
| Black | 19.7 |
| White Non-Hispanic | 16.2 |
| Asian or Pacific Islander | 5.9 |
American Indian/Alaska Native Minnesotans have the highest kidney cancer incidence rate (36.8)—more than double that of white non-Hispanic residents (16.2) and more than six times that of Asian or Pacific Islanders (5.9), who have the lowest incidence in the state.
Incidence by Geography
By County Type (2012–2016)
Kidney cancer incidence is higher in rural counties than in metro areas.
- Non-Metro (Rural): 18.8 per 100,000
- Medium Metro: 17.7 per 100,000
- Large Metro: 16.1 per 100,000
Highest-Incidence Counties
| County | Rural/Urban | Rate |
| Norman | Rural | 39.1 |
| Renville | Rural | 35.7 |
| Marshall | Rural | 31.1 |
| Clearwater | Rural | 29.1 |
| Itasca | Rural | 27.9 |
| Pine | Rural | 25.3 |
| Roseau | Rural | 25.3 |
| Beltrami | Rural | 25.0 |
| Rice | Rural | 24.4 |
| Wadena | Rural | 24.2 |
Lowest Incidence Counties
| County | Rural/Urban | Rate | Recent Trend |
| Douglas | Rural | 12.4 | Stable |
| Aitkin | Rural | 14.3 | Stable |
| Winona | Rural | 14.6 | Stable |
| Carver | Urban | 14.8 | Stable |
| Hennepin | Urban | 15.1 | Stable |
Counties with confirmed rising incidence trends: Itasca (+4.5%/yr), Nicollet (+3.8%/yr), Otter Tail (+3.3%/yr), Isanti (+3.3%/yr), Rice (+3.7%/yr), Blue Earth (+2.8%/yr), Goodhue (+3.1%/yr), St. Louis (+2.4%/yr)
Norman County’s incidence rate (39.1) is more than three times that of Douglas County (12.4), the lowest in the state. All ten highest-incidence counties are rural, reinforcing the strong geographic pattern in kidney cancer burden.
Dialysis Infrastructure in Minnesota
- 121 dialysis treatment centers are registered with Medicare in Minnesota—approximately 30 more than in 2015 (~33% growth)
- An estimated 5,000–5,600 Minnesotans receive dialysis at any given time
- The first 90 days of dialysis are covered by Minnesota Medicaid (state cost ~$5 million in 2017); costs then shift to federal Medicare for nearly all patients, regardless of age
The 33% expansion of dialysis centers since 2015 reflects growing patient volume across the state. Despite the substantially lower per-patient cost of transplantation ($32,586/year after year one vs. $85,979/year for dialysis), dialysis remains by far the most common treatment for new kidney failure patients.
Kidney Transplants in Minnesota
Minnesota has four kidney transplant centers, though transplant volume and program participation are concentrated in just two of them.
Volume and Waiting List Trends
Total transplant volume has grown substantially compared to a decade ago. About 2,200 Minnesotans are on the kidney transplant waiting list at any given time.
| Year | Total Transplants | Living Donor | Deceased Donor | On Waiting List | Notes |
| 2016 | 496 | — | — | 2,083 | 146 patients died while on waitlist |
| 2020 | 491 | — | — | 2,279 | — |
| 2022 | 629 | 260 | 369 | 2,104 | +48% vs. 2012; LD: +2.8% vs. 2012 |
| 2023 | 646 | 299 | 347 | 1,987 | +58% vs. 2013; LD: +27% vs. 2013 |
| 2024 | 597 | 249 | 348 | 2,048 | +42% vs. 2014; LD: −10% vs. 2014 |
| 2025 | 605 | 377 | 228 | 2,136 | +22% vs. 2015; LD: −13% vs. 2015 |
LD = Living Donor
Total transplant volume peaked at 646 in 2023. Living donor trends have been mixed: a notable increase in 2023 reversed to declines in 2024 and 2025 relative to their respective baseline years. In 2022, only about 1 in 3 Minnesotans on the kidney transplant waiting list received a transplant. In 2016 alone, 146 Minnesotans died while waiting for a kidney.
Transplant Centers
Minnesota’s four transplant centers differ substantially in their scope of participation and volume of activity. Two centers—Mayo Clinic Rochester and the University of Minnesota Medical Center—account for all National Kidney Registry (NKR) transplants performed in the state; the other two report no NKR activity.
| Center | City | Active NKR Participation | Full Program Participation |
| Mayo Clinic Rochester | Rochester, MN | Yes | All programs except Donor Care Network |
| University of Minnesota Medical Center | Minneapolis, MN | Yes | All programs |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital | Minneapolis, MN | No | None |
| Hennepin Center Medical Center | Minneapolis, MN | No | None |
Donor Program Participation
The following table shows donor-side program participation for all four Minnesota transplant centers. NKR = National Kidney Registry.
| Center | NKR Tx (12 Mo) | Dec. Donor | Liv. Donor | Donor Shield | Remote Donation | Voucher | NKR Member | Equal Access | Donor Referral | Kidney for Life | Donor Care Network | Nutcracker |
| Mayo Clinic Rochester | 61 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Univ. of MN Medical Center | 39 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital | 0 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Hennepin Center Medical Center | 0 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Mayo Clinic Rochester and the University of Minnesota Medical Center perform all 100 NKR transplants in the state and participate in all major donor programs; Mayo is the only active center not enrolled in the Donor Care Network. Abbott Northwestern and Hennepin Center Medical Center report no NKR transplant activity and no program participation.
Recipient Data
Prior year: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026. LD = Living Donor | CoE = Center of Excellence
| Center | Kidney for Life | Low Eplet Tx (12 Mo) | NKR Tx (12 Mo) | NKR LD Tx (PY) | LD Tx (PY) | NKR % of LD | Microsites | Microsite CoE | Non-Steroidal | Voucher | NKR Member | Equal Access |
| Univ. of MN Med. Center | Y | 23 | 39 | 36 | 53 | 68% | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Mayo Clinic Rochester | Y | 22 | 61 | 75 | 149 | 51% | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Abbott Northwestern | N | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | N | N | ? | N | N | N |
| Hennepin Center | N | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0% | N | N | ? | N | N | N |
Mayo Clinic performed 149 living donor transplants in the prior year—nearly three times the University of Minnesota’s total (53)—but the University of Minnesota sources a higher share of its living donor transplants through the NKR (68% vs. 51%). Hennepin Center Medical Center completed 10 living donor transplants despite having no NKR affiliation. Neither high-volume center holds Microsite Center of Excellence designation.
Patient Outcomes
Adult Outcomes
Prior year: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026. LD = Living Donor | DD = Deceased Donor
| Center | LD Tx (PY) | LD 1-Yr Graft | LD 3-Yr Graft | LD 1-Yr Patient | LD 3-Yr Patient | DD 1-Yr Graft | DD 3-Yr Graft | DD 1-Yr Patient | DD 3-Yr Patient |
| Mayo Clinic Rochester | 149 | 98% | 94% | 100% | 96% | 96% | 88% | 98% | 91% |
| Univ. of MN Medical Center | 53 | 96% | 95% | 99% | 96% | 94% | 88% | 97% | 93% |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital | 0 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 95% | 88% | 97% | 91% |
| Hennepin Center Medical Center | 10 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 97% | 92% | 98% | 94% |
Adult one-year patient survival rates are 97–100% across all four centers. Hennepin Center Medical Center achieves the best deceased donor 3-year graft survival (92%) despite the smallest caseload. University of Minnesota outperforms Mayo Clinic in 3-year deceased donor patient survival (93% vs. 91%).
Pediatric Outcomes
Pediatric outcome data is available only for the two highest-volume centers. LD = Living Donor | DD = Deceased Donor
| Center | LD 1-Yr Graft | LD 3-Yr Graft | LD 1-Yr Patient | LD 3-Yr Patient | DD 1-Yr Graft | DD 3-Yr Graft | DD 1-Yr Patient | DD 3-Yr Patient |
| Mayo Clinic Rochester | 100% | 71% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 93% | 100% | 100% |
| Univ. of MN Medical Center | 94% | 78% | 100% | 95% | 100% | 88% | 100% | 100% |
One-year patient survival is 100% at both centers for all donor types. However, 3-year graft survival for living donor pediatric recipients is notably lower at both centers (71% at Mayo, 78% at U of MN) compared to deceased donor recipients at those same centers (93% and 88%, respectively), suggesting longer-term graft durability challenges in pediatric living donor transplantation.
Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer Mortality Statistics
Statewide CKD Mortality Trends (2000–2023)
CKD deaths are tracked both as a primary (direct) cause of death and as a contributing factor when another disease—such as diabetes or heart disease—is the primary cause. CKD’s involvement in Minnesota deaths has risen dramatically over two decades.
| Period | Total Deaths | CKD as Direct Cause | CKD as Contributing Cause | Total CKD-Related |
| 2000–2004 | 176,714 | 1,070 (0.61%) | 5,592 (3.2%) | 3.8% |
| 2005–2009 | 176,156 | 1,135 (0.64%) | 6,048 (3.4%) | 4.0% |
| 2010–2014 | 190,812 | 1,609 (0.84%) | 12,713 (6.7%) | 7.5% |
| 2015–2019 | 209,818 | 1,841 (0.88%) | 21,960 (10.5%) | 11.4% |
| 2020–2023 | 194,584 | 1,437 (0.74%) | 26,646 (13.7%) | 14.4% |
The share of deaths in which CKD was a contributing factor has risen more than fourfold from 3.2% (2000–2004) to 13.7% (2020–2023). CKD’s role as a direct cause has remained relatively stable (0.6–0.9%), while its recognition as a co-occurring condition in other deaths has grown dramatically—reflecting both true rising prevalence and improved clinical documentation.
CKD Mortality by Demographic Group
The CKD mortality burden is not evenly distributed—it falls disproportionately on older adults, minority communities, and individuals with lower socioeconomic resources.
By Age Group (2020–2023)
After age 40, kidney filtration capacity declines by approximately 1% per year, making aging a key driver of CKD risk.
| Age Group | CKD Contributing Cause | CKD Direct Cause | Total CKD-Related |
| 18–44 | 2.3% | 0.2% | 2.5% |
| 45–64 | 6.8% | 0.5% | 7.3% |
| 65+ | 15.8% | 0.8% | 16.6% |
Estimated CKD Prevalence by Age
| Age Group | Estimated CKD Prevalence |
| 18–44 | ~6% |
| 45–64 | ~12% |
| 65+ | ~34% |
Total deaths by Age Group (2000–2023)
| Age Group | Total Deaths | CKD as Direct Cause | CKD as Contributing Cause |
| 18–44 | 45,415 | 91 (0.20%) | 802 (1.8%) |
| 45–64 | 151,318 | 686 (0.45%) | 6,350 (4.2%) |
| 65+ | 751,351 | 6,315 (0.84%) | 65,807 (8.6%) |
CKD is involved in more than 1 in 6 deaths (16.6%) among Minnesotans aged 65 and older. Both CKD prevalence (6% → 34%) and CKD-related mortality (2.5% → 16.6%) increase sharply with age, making older adults by far the highest-risk population.
By Race/Ethnicity
2020–2023
| Race/Ethnicity | Total Deaths | CKD Direct Cause | CKD Contributing Cause | Total |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 3,555 | 29 (0.82%) | 405 (11.4%) | 12.2% |
| Asian | 4,055 | 52 (1.3%) | 741 (18.3%) | 19.6% |
| Black | 8,037 | 83 (1.0%) | 1,194 (14.9%) | 15.9% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | 49 | 1 (2.0%) | 10 (20.4%) | 22.4% |
| White | 177,322 | 1,264 (0.73%) | 24,145 (13.7%) | 14.3% |
| Multi Race | — | — | — | 7.3% |
| Statewide | — | — | — | 14.4% |
Full Period (2000–2023)
| Race/Ethnicity | Total Deaths | CKD as Direct Cause | CKD as Contributing Cause |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 11,346 | 107 (0.94%) | 1,054 (9.2%) |
| Asian | 9,564 | 157 (1.6%) | 1,498 (15.7%) |
| Black | 26,172 | 354 (1.3%) | 3,095 (11.8%) |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | 383 | 4 (1.1%) | 20 (5.2%) |
| White | 887,155 | 6,328 (0.71%) | 66,333 (7.4%) |
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (22.4%) and Asian (19.6%) Minnesotans have the highest rates of CKD-involved deaths, significantly above the statewide average of 14.4%. Black Minnesotans also exceed the statewide average at 15.9%. These disparities point to systemic inequities in CKD risk, detection, and care access across racial groups in Minnesota.
By Education Level
Individuals with lower education have a 21–25% higher risk of developing CKD compared to those with higher education.
2020–2023
| Education Level | Total Deaths | CKD Direct Cause | CKD Contributing Cause | Total |
| Less than high school degree | 24,079 | 217 (0.90%) | 3,788 (15.7%) | 16.6% |
| High school degree | 109,240 | 794 (0.73%) | 15,210 (13.9%) | 14.2% |
| College degree | 46,594 | 327 (0.71%) | 5,767 (12.4%) | 13.0% |
| Advanced degree | 12,713 | 75 (0.59%) | 1,606 (12.6%) | 13.5% |
Full Period (2000–2023)
| Education Level | Total Deaths | CKD as Direct Cause | CKD as Contributing Cause |
| Did not graduate high school | 204,835 | 1,019 (0.50%) | 8,032 (3.9%) |
| Graduated high school | 487,024 | 1,870 (0.38%) | 20,923 (4.3%) |
| Graduated college | 197,297 | 496 (0.25%) | 6,718 (3.4%) |
| Advanced degree | 41,303 | 196 (0.47%) | 2,150 (5.2%) |
There is a clear gradient: those without a high school degree have a CKD-related death rate of 16.6%, compared to 13.0% for college graduates. Education is consistently inversely linked to both CKD risk and CKD-related mortality, reflecting the broader role of socioeconomic factors in kidney health outcomes.
By Social Vulnerability Index (2022)
| SVI Quartile | Total Deaths | CKD Direct Cause | CKD Contributing Cause | Total |
| Q1 (Least Vulnerable) | 2,146 | 15 (0.70%) | 230 (10.7%) | 11.4% |
| Q2 | 7,108 | 62 (0.87%) | 1,030 (14.4%) | 15.4% |
| Q3 | 12,454 | 103 (0.83%) | 1,723 (14.2%) | 15.0% |
| Q4 (Most Vulnerable) | 26,791 | 209 (0.78%) | 1,704 (14.1%) | 14.7% |
Communities in the least socially vulnerable quartile (Q1) have CKD-related death rates of 11.4%, compared to 14.7–15.4% in more vulnerable populations—a gap of up to 4 percentage points. Social vulnerability, as a composite of income, housing stability, and access to services, is a meaningful predictor of CKD mortality outcomes.
Kidney Cancer Mortality Trends
| Indicator | Minnesota | National |
| Deaths (2016) | 241 | — |
| Age-adjusted mortality rate (2019–2023) | 3.7 per 100,000 | 3.4 per 100,000 |
| Recent 5-year mortality trend | Falling −1.1%/year | — |
Kidney cancer mortality continues to decline, suggesting that improved early detection and treatment are extending patient survival despite growing case counts.
Historical Mortality Rates (1997–2016)
Kidney cancer mortality has trended downward since 1997, declining at approximately −0.5% per year (1997–2016).
| Year | Rate | Year | Rate |
| 1997 | ~5.0 | 2007 | ~4.5 |
| 1998 | ~4.6 | 2008 | ~3.9 |
| 1999 | ~4.7 | 2009 | ~4.7 |
| 2000 | ~5.0 | 2010 | ~4.6 |
| 2001 | ~4.7 | 2011 | ~4.1 |
| 2002 | ~4.6 | 2012 | ~4.1 |
| 2003 | ~4.6 | 2013 | ~4.1 |
| 2004 | ~4.5 | 2014 | ~4.3 |
| 2005 | ~4.8 | 2015 | ~4.1 |
| 2006 | ~4.8 | 2016 | ~3.7 |
Age-adjusted rates are per 100,000. Kidney cancer mortality improved from approximately 5.0 in 1997 to 3.7 in 2016 and to 3.7 in the most recent period (2019–2023)—a meaningful reduction even as incidence has continued to rise.
Mortality
By Race/Ethnicity (2007–2016)
| Race/Ethnicity | Mortality Rate (per 100,000) |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 8.8 |
| Hispanic (All Races) | 4.9 |
| Black | 4.2 |
| White Non-Hispanic | 4.2 |
| Asian or Pacific Islander | 2.7 |
American Indian/Alaska Native Minnesotans have the highest kidney cancer mortality rate (8.8)—more than three times that of Asian or Pacific Islanders (2.7), who have the lowest mortality in the state. Black and white non-Hispanic residents share the same mortality rate (4.2), despite differing incidence levels.
By County Type (2012–2016)
Kidney cancer mortality is higher in rural counties than in metro areas.
- Non-Metro (Rural): 4.6 per 100,000
- Medium Metro: 4.1 per 100,000
- Large Metro: 3.7 per 100,000
The rural-to-metro gradient in mortality—like incidence—points to greater barriers to early detection and specialized treatment access for non-metropolitan Minnesotans.
County-Level Mortality (2019–2023)
Statewide rate: 3.7 per 100,000 (falling at −1.1% per year) | * = Insufficient data to determine trend
Highest-Mortality Counties
| County | Rural/Urban | Rate | Recent Trend |
| Itasca | Rural | 8.8 | Stable |
| Mower | Rural | 6.6 | * |
| Stearns | Urban | 6.0 | Stable |
| Goodhue | Rural | 5.9 | Stable |
| Rice | Rural | 4.7 | Rising |
| Carver | Urban | 4.5 | Stable |
| Sherburne | Urban | 4.4 | Stable |
| Wright | Urban | 4.4 | * |
Lowest-Mortality Counties
| County | Rural/Urban | Rate | Recent Trend |
| Olmsted | Urban | 2.2 | Falling (−4.2%/yr) |
| Hennepin | Urban | 2.7 | Falling (−2.0%/yr) |
| Crow Wing | Rural | 2.7 | * |
| Otter Tail | Rural | 3.0 | Stable |
| Dakota | Urban | 3.2 | Stable |
| St. Louis | Urban | 3.3 | Stable |
| Washington | Urban | 3.3 | Stable |
| Ramsey | Urban | 3.6 | Falling (−2.0%/yr) |
Olmsted County—home to Mayo Clinic Rochester—has the lowest kidney cancer mortality rate in the state (2.2 per 100,000) and a steeply falling trend (−4.2%/yr). Itasca County’s rate (8.8) is four times higher, illustrating extreme geographic disparity. Rice County is notable for having both a rising incidence trend and a rising mortality trend.
Survival and Stage at Diagnosis
5-Year Survival Rates (Patients Diagnosed 2009–2015)
- Overall: ~75%
- Men: ~74%
- Women: ~77%
Stage at Diagnosis (2012–2016)
- Localized: ~64%
- Regional: ~17%
- Distant (metastatic): ~13%
- Stage unknown: ~5%
Three-quarters of Minnesotans diagnosed with kidney cancer survive at least five years. The majority of cases (64%) are caught at the localized stage—the most treatable—contributing to the relatively favorable overall survival rate. Women have a slightly higher 5-year survival rate (77%) than men (74%) despite having a lower overall incidence.
Financial Impact of Kidney Disease
Medicare Costs
Kidney disease patients are a disproportionately large burden on Medicare resources.
- Kidney disease patients: 1% of Medicare patients, but account for 7% of Medicare spending
- National Medicare spending on kidney disease (2017): exceeded $84 billion (+6.3% vs. prior year)
| Patient Type | Average Annual Medicare Cost |
| Dialysis patient | $85,979 |
| Transplant patient (after first year) | $32,586 |
| Kidney disease diagnostic test | $80–$143 |
Minnesota Medicare-Reported Data (2016)
- Medicare patients diagnosed with CKD: 1,749
- Medicare patients on dialysis: 3,406
- Medicare patients with kidney transplant: 12,253
- Patients on transplant waitlist: 2,083
- Transplants performed in 2016: 496
- Patients who died while on waitlist in 2016: 146
Annual Medicare costs for transplant recipients ($32,586/year after year one) are roughly one-third those of dialysis patients ($85,979/year), making transplantation substantially more cost-effective in the long run. Despite this, dialysis remains by far the most common treatment for new kidney failure patients.
Patient Financial Hardship
- Dialysis patients unable to work: >80% (ESRD classified as disability; multiple multi-hour sessions/week)
- Average income of AKF-assisted patients: <$25,000/year
- Average annual out-of-pocket costs (dialysis): >$10,000/year
- Share of AKF-assisted patients who are minorities: >60%
Racial Breakdown of Patients AKF Assists Nationally
- Black: 34.7%
- Hispanic/Latino: 20.9%
- Native American/Asian/Pacific Islander: 5.2%
Dialysis patients face annual out-of-pocket costs exceeding $10,000 on an average income under $25,000—a severe financial gap that falls disproportionately on minority patients. The combination of disability, high out-of-pocket costs, and low income makes charitable assistance essential for a large share of Minnesota’s kidney disease community.
American Kidney Fund (AKF) Charitable Assistance in Minnesota
AKF provides grants to low-income dialysis and transplant patients to help pay for insurance premiums and other uncovered healthcare costs.
| Year | Minnesotans Receiving AKF Grants | Total AKF Assistance |
| 2020 | 596 | ~$1,700,000 |
| 2022 | 457 | $1,472,084 |
| 2023 | 436 | $1,479,958 |
| 2024 | 507 | $1,725,687 |
| 2025 | 549 | — |
AKF assistance to Minnesota patients declined between 2020 and 2023, then rebounded sharply to a five-year high in 2024 ($1,725,687). The number of recipients grew from 436 in 2023 to 549 in 2025, signaling increasing financial need among the state’s kidney disease patients.
Insurance Coverage of AKF Grant Recipients (National Data)
The following reflects the insurance types held by Americans nationally who received AKF charitable premium assistance. Minnesota-specific breakdowns are not available.
| Insurance Type | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Medicare Part B | 40.9% | 44.6% | 25.0% |
| Medigap | 27.2% | 23.4% | 27.3% |
| Commercial/Employer Group (incl. COBRA) | 17.7% | 17.2% | 20.1% |
| Medicare Advantage | 1.3% | 1.4% | 0.6% |
Medicare Part B was the most common insurance type among AKF recipients in 2022 and 2023, but its share dropped sharply from 44.6% to 25.0% in 2024. Medigap and commercial employer plans together represent roughly 40–47% of recipients across all three years.
Conclusion
Kidney disease in Minnesota is a significant and growing public health challenge. An estimated 730,000 Minnesotans live with some form of kidney disease, yet awareness and early detection remain critically low—roughly 90% of adults with CKD do not know they have it. Each year, over 1,300 new cases of kidney failure are diagnosed, and more than 92% of patients begin dialysis rather than receiving a transplant, the more clinically effective and cost-efficient treatment option.
The data consistently reveal deep disparities in who bears the greatest burden. Older adults, racial and ethnic minorities—particularly Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Asian, and Black Minnesotans—those without a high school degree, and residents of rural communities all face higher rates of CKD-related death and kidney cancer incidence. These inequities reflect broader gaps in access to preventive care, early diagnosis, and specialized treatment. The concentration of active transplant infrastructure at just two of the state’s four transplant centers further limits equitable access to life-saving care.
Despite these challenges, there are meaningful signs of progress. Kidney cancer mortality is declining at −1.1% per year, total transplant volumes have grown substantially since 2010, and dialysis capacity across the state has expanded by roughly 33% since 2015. Sustained investment in early CKD screening, targeted outreach to high-risk communities, and broader participation in paired kidney exchange programs will be essential to reducing the kidney disease burden equitably across Minnesota.
Sources:
- Kidney Transplant Centers in Minnesota
- Kidney failure
- Kidney failure in Minnesota: 2025
- Kidney failure in Minnesota: 2024
- Kidney failure MINNESOTA: 2023
- Kidney failure (ESRD) in Minnesota 2021
- Kidney Disease Mortality | Stats of the States | CDC
- Explore Chronic Kidney Disease in Minnesota | AHR
- Chronic Kidney Disease in Minnesotans: A Rising Trend or Increased Screening?
- Kidney disease is on the rise in Minnesota – MinnPost
- KIDNEY DISEASE IN MINNESOTA
- Incidence Rate Report for Minnesota by County Kidney & Renal Pelvis (All Stages), 2018-2022
- Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer | Minnesota Department of Health
- Death Rate Report for Minnesota by County Kidney & Renal Pelvis, 2019-2023