ZIP code
56137
in Heron Lake, MinnesotaPopulation 1,039
56.66/ 100
Ranked #7,590 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 24%)
Ranked #237 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 27%)
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
3.9 pCi/L
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & 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
37.9%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Loneliness
27.4%
in the bottom 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
28.9%
in the bottom 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST27thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
61.8 mi
in the top 8.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST84thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
11.1%
in the bottom 10.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
72.4%
in the top 9.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST81stUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
0.83%
in the top 13.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS87thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
28.9 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 14.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS86thDefinition & 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 ›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
Heron Lake, Minnesota (ZIP 56137), by its overall standing, sits in the top 24% healthiest ZIPs nationally (7,590th) and the top 27% of Minnesota (237th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
The profile opens balanced, with readings on either hand: modeled loneliness sits in the bottom 4.5% nationally, modeled short sleep settles in the bottom 5.5% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site registers in the top 8.3% nationally. Housing-cost burden stands in the bottom 10.9% nationally, modeled utility shutoff lands in the bottom 12.2% nationally, and modeled colon screening is in the top 9.2% nationally. By contrast, modeled radon resides in the top 2.5% nationally, and arsenic rests in the top 1.9% nationally. Modeled fine-particle lies in the top 11.7% nationally, and slow internet speeds sits in the top 13.3% nationally.
Held up against its neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined 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. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 56111, about 12 miles away.
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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 61%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 78%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 79%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 77%
8%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 52%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 34%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 78%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 80%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 91%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 71%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 43%
16%
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 33%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
“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
56101
Minnesotashares a border
Score 51.11
Closest healthier
56111
Minnesotaabout 12 mi away
Score 56.87
Similar health profile
16828
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 57.20
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% | 24.2–30.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.0% | 32.1–39.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.9% | 9.9–11.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.7% | 8.7–10.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.6–7.5 |
| Depression among adults | 22.4% | 19.4–25.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.9% | 10.4–13.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.1% | 33.1–41.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.9% | 29.1–42.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.2% | 7.5–11.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.7% | 6.4–9.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.5% | 78.0–82.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.2% | 73.9–80.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.4% | 85.7–89.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.4% | 68.1–76.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.8% | 64.6–70.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.0% | 71.2–83.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.4% | 13.8–19.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.4% | 11.3–15.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.1% | 20.9–29.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.9% | 23.4–34.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.8% | 14.4–19.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.1% | 12.5–15.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.6% | 11.0–14.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.3% | 10.7–13.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.3% | 26.2–34.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–10.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.3–8.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.9% | 11.9–16.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.0–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.1% | 17.3–23.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.2–11.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.6–8.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 6.8–9.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.4–7.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 27.4% | 23.5–31.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.9% | 4.2–5.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 19.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.0% | 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 | 88.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 11.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 62.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 25.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 46.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $71,250 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $123,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $830 | $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 | 84.6 yr ± 1.57 | 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 1.57 years of 84.6, 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