ZIP code
55904
in Rochester, MinnesotaPopulation 29,639
58.54/ 100
Ranked #5,958 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 19%)
Ranked #170 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #11 of 34 Rochester, MN ZIPs (top 32%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
560 units
in the top 3.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
7 ppb
in the top 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
US94thDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›Lithium in drinking water
9.9 µg/L
in the bottom 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
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 ›High cholesterol
32.3%
in the bottom 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Mammography
80.7%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
29.6%
in the bottom 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 12.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
0.75%
in the top 14.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS86thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
0.55%
in the top 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS83rdDefinition & 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 ›The read
ZIP 55904, one of several in Rochester, Minnesota, on the composite measure, lands in the top 19% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,958th) and the top 20% of Minnesota (170th).
Where this area does well, the measures make it plain: subsidized affordable housing rests in the top 3.9% nationally. Distance to an emergency room sits at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Lithium in drinking water registers in the bottom 6.2% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol lands in the bottom 7.4% nationally. Modeled mammography resides in the top 7.8% nationally. Distance to a community health center lies at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled high blood pressure settles in the bottom 9.8% nationally. Against that, modeled expected annual loss stands in the top 4.1% nationally, lead in tap water is in the top 6.2% nationally, and modeled disaster risk rests in the top 12.5% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 55902, 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 Rochester, MN 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 85%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 82%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 75%
11%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 78%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 42%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 75%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 75%
11%
Disability
healthier than 68%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 34%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 24%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 70%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 4%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 13%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
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
2 of our published findings list 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.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 78.9 ± 1.5 years. The 50 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 82.2 years — 3.3 years below them.
Ranked #2,560 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 20.9; chronic-disease standing 85.0 — 64 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,810 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
55902
Minnesotashares a border
Score 67.29
Closest healthier
55906
Minnesotashares a border
Score 64.75
Similar health profile
59803
Montana99% similar profile
Score 61.51
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 | 20.8% | 18.6–23.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.6% | 26.6–32.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–5.8 |
| Depression among adults | 25.5% | 22.4–28.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.7% | 8.5–11.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.3% | 29.2–35.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.7% | 33.7–44.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.0% | 7.2–10.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.5% | 7.3–9.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.8% | 70.8–76.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.3% | 67.8–74.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.2% | 81.3–85.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.9% | 64.7–72.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.1% | 65.0–71.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.7% | 74.6–85.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.4% | 13.9–19.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.3% | 11.5–15.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.5% | 20.3–26.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.5% | 27.1–36.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.0% | 14.0–18.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.6% | 13.9–17.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.2% | 9.9–12.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.4% | 12.0–15.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.9% | 23.7–30.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.3% | 9.9–12.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.8–4.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.8% | 17.8–23.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.2% | 11.2–15.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.5–11.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 9.0–12.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.3% | 25.3–33.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.8–7.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 37.6% | 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 | 8.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 25.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 64.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 12.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 47.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 14.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 35.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $77,016 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $253,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $1,304 | $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 | 78.9 yr ± 0.77 | 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 0.77 years of 78.9, 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