ZIP code
55921
in Caledonia, MinnesotaPopulation 4,659
56.06/ 100
Ranked #8,204 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 26%)
Ranked #264 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 30%)
Ranked #8 of 26 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN ZIPs (top 31%)
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.
PFAS in drinking water
4.8%
in the bottom 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.5 pCi/L
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Child-care access
0.83 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.21 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics located 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 ›Short sleep
28.9%
in the bottom 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST27thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Pharmacy access
0.42 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies located 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
0.27%
in the top 23% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS77thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
29.6 days/year
in the bottom 27% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS27thDefinition & 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 ›The read
On the composite measure, Caledonia, Minnesota (ZIP 55921) stands in the top 26% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,204th) and the top 30% of Minnesota (264th).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: modeled pfas sits in the bottom 1.0% nationally, and childcare resides in the top 3.5% nationally. Mental-health providers stands in the top 3.9% nationally, and modeled short sleep sits in the bottom 5.5% nationally. Pharmacy resides in the top 7.6% nationally, modeled industrial-pollution burden stands in the bottom 17% nationally, and modeled colon screening sits in the top 17% nationally. By contrast, modeled radon resides in the top 4.7% nationally, walkability stands in the bottom 13.9% nationally, and lead in tap water sits in the top 18% nationally.
For clarity, pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. ZIP 55941, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-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 68%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 62%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 65%
8%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 47%
14%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 36%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 78%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 70%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 60%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 26%
13%
Healthcare Access
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
55919
Minnesotashares a border
Score 55.72
Closest healthier
55941
Minnesotashares a border
Score 57.62
Similar health profile
55804
Minnesota98% similar profile
Score 64.82
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% | 23.4–29.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.9% | 29.1–37.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.1% | 9.1–11.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–8.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.7–7.6 |
| Depression among adults | 23.2% | 19.9–26.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.3% | 9.7–13.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.0% | 31.0–39.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.9% | 28.4–42.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.2% | 8.2–12.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.2% | 6.0–8.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.0% | 76.0–81.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.2% | 71.6–78.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.1% | 84.3–87.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.7% | 66.0–75.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.0% | 63.6–70.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.9% | 68.3–82.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.0% | 15.1–21.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.1% | 12.7–17.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.0% | 22.6–32.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.9% | 23.3–35.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.6% | 15.1–20.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.3–17.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.0% | 11.3–14.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.1% | 11.5–15.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.5% | 25.4–34.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–8.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.5% | 11.5–15.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.8% | 16.8–22.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 8.7–12.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.8% | 6.3–9.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.1–9.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.7–7.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.8% | 25.4–34.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.6–6.2 |
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 | 5.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 20.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 79.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 61.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 21.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 47.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $80,161 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $201,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $836 | $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 ± 0.92 | 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 0.92 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