ZIP code
56051
in Kiester, MinnesotaPopulation 610
48.73/ 100
Ranked #18,027 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 44%)
Ranked #756 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (bottom 12.8%)
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.
Outpatient-care access
1.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient 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 ›Fiber broadband
100%
at the national maximum
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
32.7 mi
in the top 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
5.6%
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
22.9%
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.2 pCi/L
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS92ndDefinition & 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
9.2%
in the bottom 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Physician access
1.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 10.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices 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 ›Home broadband subscription
79.9%
in the bottom 17% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS17thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
18.2%
in the top 22% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS78thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
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
By its overall health score, Kiester, Minnesota (ZIP 56051) lands in the bottom 44% nationally (18,027th) and the bottom 12.8% of Minnesota (756th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
The burdens that read clearest in the data come first: distance to a community health center lands in the top 3.5% nationally, and modeled energy burden registers in the top 4.2% nationally. Modeled arsenic sits in the top 5.2% nationally, and radon rests in the top 8.2% nationally. Distance to an emergency room is in the top 10.7% nationally, and modeled fine-particle stands in the top 11.7% nationally. Better still, outpatient settles in the top 0.7% nationally, fiber broadband lies at the national maximum, and modeled pfas resides in the bottom 7.3% nationally. Physicians lands in the top 10.8% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, outpatient runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. 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. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 50473, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 47%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 55%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 47%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Disability
healthier than 48%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 3%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 50%
8%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 14%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 9%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 35%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Disability
healthier than 15%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 22%
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
50473
Iowashares a border
Score 53.51
Closest healthier
50478
Iowashares a border
Score 51.21
Similar health profile
16859
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 47.47
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 | 28.8% | 25.3–32.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.9% | 32.5–41.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.4% | 9.4–11.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.1% | 7.1–9.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.8% | 6.7–9.1 |
| Depression among adults | 23.9% | 20.3–27.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.8% | 11.0–14.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.5% | 33.1–41.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.4% | 30.6–45.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.5% | 9.2–14.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.4% | 6.7–10.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.7% | 76.5–82.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.3% | 72.6–79.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.4% | 84.6–88.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.6% | 63.5–73.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.7% | 57.9–65.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.2% | 68.4–82.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.0% | 13.9–20.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.0% | 14.2–20.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.1% | 23.3–33.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.0% | 25.7–38.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.2% | 16.3–22.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.5–17.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.1% | 12.3–16.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.9% | 12.0–16.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.3% | 28.7–38.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–10.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.2–9.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.5% | 13.2–18.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.6–4.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.3–5.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.2% | 17.8–24.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.6% | 10.2–15.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 7.7–11.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 8.1–11.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.3–8.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.6% | 25.7–35.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.4–7.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 18.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 11.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 79.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 83.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 57.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 25.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 50.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $54,286 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $68,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $900 | $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 | 83.5 yr ± 2.35 | 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 2.35 years of 83.5, 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