ZIP code
55944
in Kasson, MinnesotaPopulation 8,161
61.38/ 100
Ranked #3,884 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 12.2%)
Ranked #97 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 11.3%)
Ranked #7 of 34 Rochester, MN ZIPs (top 21%)
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.
Lithium in drinking water
9 µg/L
in the bottom 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Fiber broadband
99.6%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Child-care access
0.88 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Fatal road crashes
1.2 per 100,000 residents per year
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
8.5%
in the bottom 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.1%
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.1 pCi/L
in the top 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST69thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›High blood pressure
27.8%
in the bottom 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
31.5%
in the bottom 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
9.6%
in the bottom 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›The read
Kasson, Minnesota (ZIP 55944), in overall standing, comes out in the top 12.2% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,884th) and the top 11.3% of Minnesota (97th).
An even profile, with readings pulling both ways: lithium in drinking water settles in the bottom 0.2% nationally, fiber broadband lands in the top 2.9% nationally, and childcare rests in the top 3.1% nationally. Fatal road crashes settles in the bottom 4.9% nationally, modeled pfas lands in the bottom 5.8% nationally, and modeled high blood pressure rests in the bottom 5.8% nationally. Modeled high cholesterol settles in the bottom 5.5% nationally, and mobility disability lands in the bottom 7.6% nationally. Against that, modeled binge drinking rests in the top 5.8% nationally, and radon settles in the top 9.2% nationally.
Defined simply, for reference, lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. 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. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 55920, 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 90%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 84%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Disability
healthier than 90%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 48%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 19%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 84%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 77%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 80%
14%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 61%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 41%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 56%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 59%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
in the top 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 74%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 78%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 61%
8%
Disability
healthier than 83%
7%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 48%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
“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
55920
Minnesotashares a border
Score 63.83
Closest healthier
55955
Minnesotashares a border
Score 62.68
Similar health profile
53529
Wisconsin99% similar profile
Score 62.93
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 | 21.8% | 19.0–24.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 27.8% | 24.4–31.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.8–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.5–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.6% | 3.9–5.5 |
| Depression among adults | 24.4% | 20.9–28.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.7% | 7.5–10.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 31.5% | 27.6–35.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.3% | 27.5–41.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.6% | 2.3–3.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.1% | 5.7–8.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.5% | 4.9–8.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.9% | 71.8–77.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.2% | 69.2–76.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.6% | 83.3–87.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.0% | 65.2–74.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 71.0% | 67.7–74.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.5% | 71.2–84.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.1% | 16.7–23.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.6% | 10.1–15.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.9% | 17.1–25.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.7% | 24.8–37.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.9% | 11.7–16.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.0% | 13.0–17.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.6% | 9.1–12.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.9% | 10.1–13.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 24.6% | 20.8–28.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–7.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.1–7.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.1–11.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.6% | 2.2–3.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.8–3.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.5% | 17.2–24.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 6.7–10.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.3–7.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.2–9.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.7–6.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.1% | 25.5–34.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.7% | 3.9–5.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 35.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 88.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 40.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 15.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 37.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $95,180 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $292,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $1,089 | $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 | 81.0 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 81.0, 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