ZIP code
55309
in Big Lake, MinnesotaPopulation 21,378
59.21/ 100
Ranked #5,433 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #150 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #115 of 224 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 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.
Binge drinking
23.2%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
29.9%
in the bottom 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
26.5%
in the bottom 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
28.8%
in the bottom 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST25thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
4.4%
in the bottom 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
22.5 mi
in the top 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST58thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Mobility disability
8.8%
in the bottom 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Stroke
2.3%
in the bottom 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.3%
in the top 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST57thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of days in the year when modeled fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution was above the EPA’s daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
8.1%
in the bottom 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›The read
Big Lake, Minnesota (ZIP 55309), on the composite measure, lands in the top 17% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,433rd) and the top 17% of Minnesota (150th).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: modeled high cholesterol registers in the bottom 3.3% nationally, high blood pressure lands in the bottom 4.1% nationally, and short sleep resides in the bottom 5.2% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease lies in the bottom 5.1% nationally, mobility disability settles in the bottom 5.0% nationally, and stroke stands in the bottom 4.3% nationally. Modeled diabetes is in the bottom 4.6% nationally. On the other hand, modeled binge drinking rests in the top 1.1% nationally, and distance to a community health center sits in the top 6.9% nationally. Modeled fine-particle registers in the top 7.6% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, 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. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 55330, 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. Compare it against the US, this state and the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area.
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 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 89%
16%
Disability
healthier than 91%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 44%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 38%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 90%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 83%
16%
Disability
healthier than 88%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 18%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 57%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 56%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 18%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 16%
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 25.6; chronic-disease standing 93.4 (top 10%) — 68 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,187 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
55308
Minnesotashares a border
Score 58.87
Closest healthier
55330
Minnesotashares a border
Score 59.76
Similar health profile
55360
Minnesota99% similar profile
Score 59.67
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 | 19.6% | 17.3–22.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 26.5% | 23.4–29.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.8–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–4.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–4.9 |
| Depression among adults | 24.7% | 21.4–28.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.1% | 7.0–9.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 29.9% | 26.7–33.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.5% | 32.9–44.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.3% | 2.1–2.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.8% | 5.5–8.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.7–8.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 71.6% | 68.2–74.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 70.9% | 67.1–74.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.3% | 82.4–86.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.5% | 61.2–69.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.1% | 66.0–72.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.0% | 74.1–85.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 23.2% | 19.8–26.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.8% | 11.9–16.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.7% | 18.5–25.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.8% | 24.6–33.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.5% | 11.8–15.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.5–18.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.4–14.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.6% | 22.4–29.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.8–6.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.5–6.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.5% | 2.3–2.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.8% | 17.9–24.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.3–11.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.5–7.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.5–10.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.1% | 26.1–34.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.5–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 31.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 18.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 90.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 44.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 8.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 36.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $121,711 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $361,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $1,408 | $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 | 82.5 yr ± 1.28 | 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 1.28 years of 82.5, 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