Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Duluth, Minnesota
2 of 8 nursing homes in Duluth (25%) meet our strict criteria. The Minnesota statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 2 caution · 4 avoid · data
City Average
2.6
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
695
across 8 facilities
High Risk Facilities
4
3 Grade F
$476,151 in combined fines
Zero Fines
4
/8
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in Duluth, Minnesota, is adequate but has room for improvement, with only 25% of facilities recommended. Families should be aware that four facilities are in the avoid tier, accumulating a total of $437,909 in fines, highlighting the need for careful consideration when choosing a care provider.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 Ecumen Lakeshore (90) — Ecumen Lakeshore stands out with an impressive CMS 5★ rating and an A grade, reflecting its commitment to exceptional care. With a Trust Score of 90/100 and no fines, this non-profit facility focuses on community well-being, ensuring residents receive personalized attention in a comfortable 60-bed setting.
Qualified (Grade B, Trust Score 70-79)
- 2 Benedictine Health Center (75) — Benedictine Health Center offers a solid CMS 4★ rating and a B grade, making it a reliable choice for care. Its Trust Score of 75/100 and non-profit church-related status highlight its dedication to serving the community, ensuring residents in its 96 beds receive compassionate support.
The other 6 Duluth facilities didn't qualify — 4 carry Grade D or F ratings and 4 have fines totaling $476K.
Recommended
Ecumen Lakeshore stands out with an impressive CMS 5★ rating and an A grade, reflecting its commitment to exceptional care. With a Trust Score of 90/100 and no fines, this non-profit facility focuses on community well-being, ensuring residents receive personalized attention in a comfortable 60-bed setting.
Benedictine Health Center offers a solid CMS 4★ rating and a B grade, making it a reliable choice for care. Its Trust Score of 75/100 and non-profit church-related status highlight its dedication to serving the community, ensuring residents in its 96 beds receive compassionate support.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Best Available Alternative
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Duluth Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 2.6 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 6?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 3 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 4 Have fines totaling $476,151
- Low-scoring facilities
- 3 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 2 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Duluth Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Duluth's city average is 2.6 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
4 of 8 Duluth facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Duluth avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Duluth facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices
Houston at a Glance
Good News
- 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
- 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
- 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
- $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
- Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
- 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
- 9.4 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Duluth, MN are recommended?
2 of 8 nursing homes in Duluth (25%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Duluth "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Duluth?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.