ZIP code
55738
in Forbes, MinnesotaPopulation 599
53.27/ 100
Ranked #11,680 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 36%)
Ranked #473 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (bottom 45%)
Ranked #41 of 65 Duluth, MN-WI ZIPs (bottom 37%)
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.
Walkability
0.86 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 2.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
7.1 days/year
in the bottom 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
97.1%
in the top 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Distance to an emergency room
18.3 mi
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.3%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST59thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
5.2%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
74.7%
in the bottom 9.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST3rdUS10thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
1.0%
in the top 10.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
9.0%
in the top 12.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
0.29%
in the bottom 22% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS22ndDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›The read
Forbes, Minnesota (ZIP 55738) ranks in the top 36% healthiest ZIPs nationally (11,680th) and the bottom 45% of Minnesota (473rd).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: modeled humid heat sits in the bottom 4.5% nationally, and homeownership resides in the top 6.3% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity stands in the bottom 13.3% nationally. By contrast, walkability sits in the bottom 2.1% nationally, distance to an emergency room resides in the top 6.8% nationally, and modeled fine-particle stands in the top 7.4% nationally. Modeled energy burden sits in the top 7.3% nationally, home broadband subscription resides in the bottom 9.6% nationally, and slow internet speeds stands in the top 10.9% nationally. Unemployment sits in the top 12.1% nationally.
For context, fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. Energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 55724, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 63%
8%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 96%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 47%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 52%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 52%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 19%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 24%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 84%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 66%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 95%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 67%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 13%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Disability
healthier than 37%
7%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 75%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 68%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 59%
11%
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 18%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 38%
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
55724
Minnesotashares a border
Score 54.63
Closest healthier
55751
Minnesotashares a border
Score 57.99
Similar health profile
13332
New York99% similar profile
Score 53.49
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 | 30.3% | 26.8–33.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.2% | 33.3–41.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.1% | 9.9–12.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.0–11.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.1–9.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.2–8.8 |
| Depression among adults | 23.7% | 20.4–27.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.3% | 11.3–15.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.6% | 32.7–40.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.9% | 31.7–42.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.5–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.5% | 9.3–13.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.1% | 4.7–7.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.6% | 78.4–84.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.9% | 74.4–80.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.0% | 87.1–90.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.5% | 66.9–73.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.3% | 63.2–69.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.4% | 74.1–84.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.5% | 14.6–20.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.5% | 13.3–19.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.5% | 20.4–29.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.9% | 29.2–36.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.2% | 15.3–21.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.9% | 12.8–17.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.0–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.3% | 10.5–14.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.3% | 27.0–35.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.7–10.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.2–8.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.0% | 12.7–17.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.2–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.7–4.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.3% | 18.2–24.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 7.7–12.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 5.7–9.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.3–9.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.4–7.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.9% | 27.0–34.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.2–6.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.2% | 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+) | 15.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 9.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 74.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 14.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 97.1% | 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 | 0.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 66.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 22.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 49.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $82,969 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $167,400 | $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 | 81.6 yr ± 1.60 | 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 1.60 years of 81.6, 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