ZIP code
55935
in Fountain, MinnesotaPopulation 1,006
55.97/ 100
Ranked #8,308 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 26%)
Ranked #270 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 31%)
Ranked #22 of 34 Rochester, MN ZIPs (bottom 35%)
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.
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 ›PFAS in drinking water
6.9%
in the bottom 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS3rdDefinition & 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 ›Distance to an emergency room
20.6 mi
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS95thDefinition & 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 community health center
20.5 mi
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST54thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›Obesity
40.1%
in the top 24% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS76thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
0.27%
in the top 32% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS68thDefinition & 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
Fountain, Minnesota (ZIP 55935), in overall standing, comes out in the top 26% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,308th) and the top 31% of Minnesota (270th).
A balanced showing across the data, with a few readings each side: modeled pfas sits in the bottom 3.2% nationally, short sleep stands in the bottom 11.0% nationally, and industrial-pollution burden resides in the bottom 16% nationally. Modeled colon screening sits in the top 13.7% nationally, and utility shutoff stands in the bottom 16% nationally. On the other hand, modeled radon resides in the top 4.7% nationally, and distance to an emergency room sits in the top 5.1% nationally. Distance to a community health center stands in the top 7.9% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility resides at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. Modeled binge drinking sits in the top 14.1% nationally.
Defined simply, for reference, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. 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. 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. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 55923, 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 74%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 63%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Disability
healthier than 76%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 88%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 55%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 51%
8%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 70%
14%
Disability
healthier than 64%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 54%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 49%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 52%
11%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 35%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 36%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 52%
13%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 39%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
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
55923
Minnesotashares a border
Score 58.19
Closest healthier
55979
Minnesotaabout 2.0 mi away
Score 56.75
Similar health profile
56331
Minnesota98% similar profile
Score 55.95
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 | 24.4% | 21.4–27.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.7% | 29.0–36.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.2% | 8.3–10.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–7.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.9% | 5.1–6.8 |
| Depression among adults | 24.5% | 21.0–28.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.4% | 8.9–12.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.9% | 30.0–38.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.1% | 32.8–47.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.3% | 7.5–11.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.1% | 5.8–8.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.0% | 74.0–79.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.0% | 71.1–78.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.7% | 83.8–87.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.3% | 66.5–75.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.2% | 63.8–70.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.1% | 71.1–83.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.6% | 15.5–22.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.4% | 12.1–17.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.2% | 19.2–27.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.3% | 24.6–36.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.8% | 13.6–18.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.7% | 13.8–17.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.2% | 10.7–13.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.1% | 11.4–15.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.8% | 24.7–33.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–8.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.3–8.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.8% | 10.1–13.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.8–3.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.2% | 17.2–23.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.3–12.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 5.8–8.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.1–10.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.6–7.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.3% | 24.8–34.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.5–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 21.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 18.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 85.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 60.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 18.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 42.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $85,000 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $246,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $765 | $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 | 82.3 yr ± 0.76 | 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 0.76 years of 82.3, 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