ZIP code
56068
in Minnesota Lake, MinnesotaPopulation 1,041
52.24/ 100
Ranked #13,118 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 41%)
Ranked #550 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #17 of 17 Mankato, MN ZIPs (bottom 5.9%)
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 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
26.7%
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
8.6%
in the bottom 6.1% 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 ›Distance to a community health center
17.7 mi
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST48thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›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
In overall standing, Minnesota Lake, Minnesota (ZIP 56068) comes out in the top 41% healthiest ZIPs nationally (13,118th) and the bottom 36% of Minnesota (550th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
Several good marks anchor the profile and deserve first mention: modeled pfas lands in the bottom 6.1% nationally, and short sleep is in the bottom 10.1% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise resides at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. By contrast, modeled radon rests in the top 5.0% nationally, and arsenic lies in the top 4.0% nationally. Distance to a community health center sits in the top 9.8% nationally, and modeled fine-particle settles in the top 11.7% nationally. Distance to an emergency room registers in the top 14.0% nationally. Recreation stands at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs. Physicians lands at the national minimum, shared with about 38% of ZIPs.
In plain terms, 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. 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. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 56065, 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 Mankato, MN metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 66%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 57%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 9%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 52%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 26%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 38%
8%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Lifting this score
Mental Health
healthier than 63%
8%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 40%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
in the bottom 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.00%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Disability
in the bottom 0.00%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the bottom 0.00%
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
56025
Minnesotashares a border
Score 51.16
Closest healthier
56065
Minnesotashares a border
Score 54.75
Similar health profile
56750
Minnesota98% similar profile
Score 53.57
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 | 27.2% | 24.8–29.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.3% | 32.2–38.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.1% | 9.3–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.4–11.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–8.1 |
| Depression among adults | 24.4% | 21.7–27.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.9% | 10.6–13.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.2% | 33.0–39.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.0% | 31.4–42.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.3% | 11.2–15.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.1% | 5.8–8.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.1% | 76.8–81.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.0% | 73.1–78.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.7% | 83.9–87.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.6% | 66.0–73.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.0% | 63.1–68.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.4% | 73.0–83.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.7% | 15.3–20.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.6% | 13.5–18.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.9% | 22.5–29.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.1% | 25.6–34.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.6% | 15.6–20.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.6% | 14.0–17.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.2% | 11.8–14.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.6% | 12.1–15.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.8% | 28.4–35.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.9–9.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–9.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.5–16.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.1–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.5% | 17.8–23.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.3% | 9.3–13.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.0–10.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.4–10.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.1–8.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.2% | 26.6–34.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 5.0–6.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 24.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.7% | 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 | 91.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.7% | 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 | 0.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 57.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 20.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 42.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $74,250 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $191,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $1,012 | $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 | 81.7 yr ± 0.98 | 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 0.98 years of 81.7, 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