ZIP code
55718
in Carlton, MinnesotaPopulation 3,111
55.49/ 100
Ranked #8,879 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 28%)
Ranked #306 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 35%)
Ranked #18 of 65 Duluth, MN-WI ZIPs (top 28%)
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.
Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
0.86%
in the top 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST43rdUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Park land
11.2%
in the top 10.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS89thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
40.9%
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
40%
in the top 29% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS71stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
33.4%
in the bottom 31% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS31stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
0.8 days/year
in the bottom 33% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS33rdDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Carlton, Minnesota (ZIP 55718) ranks in the top 28% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,879th) and the top 35% of Minnesota (306th).
The measures that set this area apart are worth putting up front: park land settles in the top 10.9% nationally, and modeled humid heat resides in the bottom 11.3% nationally. Distance to a community health center registers at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled colon screening rests in the top 10.2% nationally. Distance to a nursing home stands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Modeled housing insecurity lies in the bottom 14.3% nationally, modeled utility shutoff lands in the bottom 14.9% nationally, and poverty sits in the bottom 15% nationally. Set against that, modeled fine-particle is in the top 10.0% nationally, and expected annual loss settles in the top 12.7% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. Close by, ZIP 55733, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
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 Duluth, 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 61%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 73%
13%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 86%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 48%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 53%
8%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 80%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 66%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 74%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 94%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 33%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 66%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 79%
16%
Disability
healthier than 68%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 95%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 43%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 57%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
54880
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 53.31
Closest healthier
55733
Minnesotashares a border
Score 62.59
Similar health profile
54005
Wisconsin98% similar profile
Score 54.09
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 | 26.5% | 23.6–29.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.9% | 31.3–38.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.6% | 9.7–11.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.6–7.3 |
| Depression among adults | 25.7% | 22.3–29.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.9% | 10.3–13.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.7% | 32.0–39.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.3% | 31.7–42.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.4% | 8.4–12.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.6–8.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.0% | 76.0–81.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.3% | 71.9–78.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.9% | 85.3–88.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.1% | 68.0–75.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.0% | 63.9–70.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.4% | 71.8–84.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.5% | 15.7–21.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.4% | 12.4–16.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.7% | 21.0–28.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.4% | 28.6–38.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.9% | 14.7–19.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.6% | 12.9–16.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.7% | 11.1–14.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.2–14.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.8% | 27.0–34.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.5–9.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.5–8.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.2–16.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.7–4.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.8% | 17.0–22.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 7.9–11.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.6–8.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.8% | 6.6–9.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.6–7.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.1% | 27.1–35.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.4–5.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 29.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.7% | 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) | 21.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 87.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 52.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 19.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 43.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $96,546 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $319,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $955 | $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 | 77.6 yr ± 0.59 | 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 0.59 years of 77.6, 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