ZIP code
55049
in Medford, MinnesotaPopulation 2,636
53.63/ 100
Ranked #11,197 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 35%)
Ranked #439 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (bottom 49%)
Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.
What defines this ZIP
Metrics where this ZIP sits in the tails of the national distribution — the ones that most set it apart. Select any tile for its definition and methodology.
Distance to a community health center
29 mi
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST68thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
7.5%
in the top 13.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
33%
in the bottom 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST21stUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.1%
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, Medford, Minnesota (ZIP 55049) comes out in the top 35% healthiest ZIPs nationally (11,197th) and the bottom 49% of Minnesota (439th).
Several good marks anchor the profile and deserve first mention: modeled high cholesterol registers in the bottom 9.4% nationally, fatal road crashes stands in the bottom 14.0% nationally, and modeled short sleep lands in the bottom 15% nationally. By contrast, distance to a community health center is in the top 4.4% nationally, modeled radon resides in the top 10.2% nationally, and modeled fine-particle rests in the top 10.5% nationally. Modeled transportation noise lies in the top 13.4% nationally, and binge drinking sits in the top 13.4% nationally. Recreation settles at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs. Modeled loud transportation noise registers in the top 18% nationally.
In plain terms, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 55052, just across the boundary.
What’s driving this score
Nine domains make up the ZipVitals Score — here is how this ZIP does on each, and how much each one counts.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 75%
21%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 53%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 38%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 5%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 56%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Disability
healthier than 53%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 29%
5%
“Share” is how much of this ZIP’s score the domain accounts for. Percentages are rounded; higher is healthier in every domain. How the score works, and who it compares you with ›
Findings that name this ZIP
One of our published findings lists this ZIP code. Each finding compares one published measure against a stated benchmark, and names only the ZIP codes whose estimates are reliable enough to rank. See all surprising findings.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 22.5; chronic-disease standing 74.7 — 52 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #14,609 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
55021
Minnesotashares a border
Score 49.24
Closest healthier
55052
Minnesotashares a border
Score 57.42
Similar health profile
60479
Illinois98% similar profile
Score 52.71
How these were chosen: only ZIPs with a published Score appear — a nearby ZIP with too little data to score won’t. Nearby means closest by distance between ZIP boundaries, which can cross state lines. A similar health profile is a close match across the nine Score domains, not similar demographics. Distances are measured between ZIP boundaries — ZIPs that touch share a border. How distance is measured
Evidence
Every measure this page draws on, by source. Collapsed by default — the full data stays in the page for search engines either way.
Health OutcomesCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Arthritis among adults | 23.7% | 20.7–26.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.3% | 28.4–36.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.5–7.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.3–7.2 |
| Depression among adults | 23.8% | 20.6–27.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.8% | 9.3–12.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.0% | 29.1–37.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.6% | 31.6–46.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 2.9–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.8% | 10.3–15.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.8% | 7.2–10.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.0% | 72.8–79.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.3% | 69.3–77.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.6% | 82.6–86.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.0% | 60.2–69.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.1% | 59.6–66.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.7% | 71.8–84.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.7% | 15.6–22.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.8% | 13.2–18.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.9% | 20.6–29.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.1% | 25.6–37.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.6% | 14.9–20.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.8% | 13.8–17.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.7% | 11.0–14.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.6% | 11.8–15.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.1% | 24.0–32.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–8.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.5–8.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.4% | 10.5–14.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–4.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–5.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.7% | 18.5–25.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.7% | 10.4–15.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.2–11.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.5–12.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.4–8.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.7% | 26.3–35.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 14.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 86.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 10.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 43.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 12.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 38.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $90,625 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $247,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $1,302 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $925 ($650–$1,588) n=759 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 82.8 yr ± 1.22 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 81.1 yr (78.3–84.8) n=864 |
About the ± — it’s this estimate’s give-or-take (statisticians call it the standard error). The true life expectancy for this ZIP most likely falls within 1.22 years of 82.8, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.
More ZIPs to explore ▾More ZIPs to explore ▴
How these lists were built: they draw only from ZIPs that have a published Score, so ZIPs with too little data to score are not listed. Distance-based lists use distance between ZIP boundaries with no state filter, so an out-of-state ZIP can appear. Statistically similar means a close match across the nine Score domains, not a demographic match: the measure is the cosine similarity between two ZIPs’ domain scores, taken over the domains both ZIPs have data for and only where that overlap covers at least six of the nine — and where no ZIP clears that minimum-overlap floor, that list is left out rather than filled with a weak match. How distance is measured