ZIP code
55724
in Cotton, MinnesotaPopulation 707
54.63/ 100
Ranked #9,913 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 31%)
Ranked #364 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 42%)
Ranked #28 of 65 Duluth, MN-WI ZIPs (top 43%)
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.
Recreation access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
8.7 days/year
in the bottom 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Walkability
1.8 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 6.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
12.4 mi
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
19.7 per million
in the bottom 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.1%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST55thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Distance to an emergency room
17.1 mi
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility
14.1 mi
in the top 8.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest facility that handles enough hazardous chemicals to require an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
72.6%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
0.5 days/year
in the bottom 30% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS30thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›The read
Cotton, Minnesota (ZIP 55724), on the composite measure, lands in the top 31% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,913th) and the top 42% of Minnesota (364th).
Where this area does well, the measures make it plain: recreation lies in the top 5.8% nationally, modeled humid heat settles in the bottom 5.8% nationally, and modeled air-toxics cancer risk stands in the bottom 7.6% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is in the top 8.8% nationally, modeled housing insecurity rests in the bottom 10.4% nationally, and homeownership sits in the top 11.0% nationally. Against that, walkability registers in the bottom 6.4% nationally, and distance to a nursing home lands in the top 7.5% nationally. Modeled fine-particle resides in the top 7.9% nationally, and distance to an emergency room lies in the top 8.2% nationally.
In everyday language, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. 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 hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 55602, 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 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
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 65%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 72%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 94%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 42%
16%
Disability
healthier than 58%
7%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 92%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 94%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 84%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 52%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 10%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 33%
16%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 82%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 87%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 52%
14%
Disability
healthier than 41%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
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
55602
Minnesotashares a border
Score 56.37
Closest healthier
55763
Minnesotashares a border
Score 56.03
Similar health profile
13472
New York98% similar profile
Score 58.91
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 | 30.8% | 27.4–34.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.3% | 34.4–42.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.7% | 10.5–13.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 8.8–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.0% | 7.8–10.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.2–9.0 |
| Depression among adults | 23.1% | 20.1–26.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.7% | 11.6–15.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.1% | 33.3–41.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.3% | 31.1–41.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.2% | 3.7–4.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.9% | 9.8–14.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.1% | 4.8–7.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 82.6% | 79.5–85.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.6% | 75.3–81.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.3% | 87.6–90.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.6% | 68.8–76.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.9% | 64.9–70.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.3% | 72.6–83.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.6% | 13.8–19.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.5% | 12.4–18.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.5% | 20.2–29.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.6% | 27.9–35.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.4% | 15.3–21.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.3% | 12.4–16.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.9% | 11.9–16.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.9% | 10.1–13.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.8% | 27.5–36.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.4–11.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.1–8.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.5% | 12.9–18.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.2–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.8–5.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.5% | 17.5–23.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 7.8–12.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 5.9–9.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.1–8.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.2% | 26.5–34.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.9% | 4.1–5.9 |
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 | 5.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 84.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 16.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 93.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 72.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 35.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 59.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $75,313 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $226,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 78.4 yr ± 1.52 | 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 1.52 years of 78.4, 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