ZIP code
56021
in Courtland, MinnesotaPopulation 1,108
57.69/ 100
Ranked #6,650 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 21%)
Ranked #192 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 22%)
Ranked #6 of 17 Mankato, MN ZIPs (top 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.
Loud transportation noise
3.4%
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.3 pCi/L
in the top 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.6%
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
23.9%
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
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 ›Civic-institution access
0.9 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Loneliness
28.1%
in the bottom 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST19thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
29.6%
in the bottom 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST38thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
4.6%
in the bottom 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
8.3%
in the bottom 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
32.1%
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both modeled radon and modeled groundwater arsenic.
See the full radon & arsenic analysis →
The read
Courtland, Minnesota (ZIP 56021), overall, ranks in the top 21% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,650th) and the top 22% of Minnesota (192nd).
This area's most favorable readings come through plainly in the numbers: civic lies in the top 5.1% nationally, modeled loneliness stands in the bottom 7.9% nationally, and modeled short sleep rests in the bottom 7.9% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff registers in the bottom 8.6% nationally, food insecurity resides in the bottom 8.7% nationally, and high cholesterol settles in the bottom 6.8% nationally. On the other side, modeled loud transportation noise is in the top 3.1% nationally, and radon sits in the top 6.2% nationally. Modeled binge drinking lands in the top 4.2% nationally, and arsenic lies in the top 4.8% nationally.
Defined simply, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. ZIP 56003, about 1.5 miles away, comes out healthier overall.
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 Mankato, 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 86%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 70%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 18%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 78%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 61%
13%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 60%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 45%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 79%
8%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 29%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.00%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
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
One of our published findings lists 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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 6.2 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 86.2 — 80 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,188 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
56055
Minnesotashares a border
Score 56.44
Closest healthier
56003
Minnesotaabout 1.5 mi away
Score 60.29
Similar health profile
56514
Minnesota99% similar profile
Score 57.49
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 | 23.3% | 20.3–26.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.1% | 25.4–32.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.0% | 8.1–10.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.4–6.0 |
| Depression among adults | 24.9% | 21.3–28.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.2% | 7.8–10.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.1% | 28.2–36.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.0% | 26.5–39.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.5% | 6.9–10.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.9% | 4.7–7.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.8% | 73.5–79.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.4% | 69.5–77.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.3% | 84.3–88.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.8% | 67.4–75.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.3% | 67.3–73.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.5% | 73.0–85.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.6% | 17.3–24.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.6% | 11.2–16.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.8% | 17.0–24.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 29.6% | 24.2–35.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.4% | 11.3–15.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.2–17.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.0% | 9.5–12.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.3–13.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.5% | 21.7–29.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.3–6.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.0% | 8.4–11.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.7% | 2.3–3.0 |
| 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 | 19.9% | 16.8–23.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 6.6–10.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.4–6.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.0–8.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.7–6.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.1% | 23.9–32.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.6% | 3.8–5.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 85.7% | 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 | 0.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 55.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 18.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 39.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $96,563 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $276,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $1,053 | $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 | 85.6 yr ± 2.05 | 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 2.05 years of 85.6, 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