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ZIP code

56212

in Bellingham, MinnesotaPopulation 475

ZipVitals Score
How is the ZipVitals Score calculated? →

54.20/ 100

Ranked #10,442 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 33%)

Ranked #399 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 46%)

Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.

Robust across all 9 health domains

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.

Fiber broadband

100%

at the national maximum

Higher is healthier

ST99th
US99th
Definition & source ›

The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.

Full methodology ›

Distance to a community health center

49.1 mi

in the top 1.2% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST87th
US99th
Definition & 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 ›

Radon

3.4 pCi/L

in the top 5.6% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST85th
US94th
Definition & 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 ›

Distance to a Superfund site

86.3 mi

in the top 4.6% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST95th
US95th
Definition & 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 ›

Short sleep

28.9%

in the bottom 5.5% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST27th
US5th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.

Full methodology ›

Arsenic in groundwater

19.3%

in the top 6.8% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST80th
US93rd
Definition & 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 ›

Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance

1.4%

in the top 7.3% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST61st
US93rd
Definition & source ›

The share of days in the year when modeled fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution was above the EPA’s daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.

Full methodology ›

Transportation noise

0.08%

in the bottom 7.9% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST10th
US8th
Definition & source ›

The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.

Full methodology ›

Loneliness

28.4%

in the bottom 9.6% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST25th
US10th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.

Full methodology ›

Unemployment rate

0.40%

in the bottom 15% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST6th
US15th
Definition & source ›

The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.

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.

The read

Bellingham, Minnesota (ZIP 56212) ranks in the top 33% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,442nd) and the top 46% of Minnesota (399th).

continue reading

A profile of give and take, with clear readings each way: fiber broadband lands at the national maximum, and distance to a Superfund site settles in the top 4.6% nationally. Modeled short sleep rests in the bottom 5.5% nationally, and transportation noise lands in the bottom 7.9% nationally. Modeled loneliness settles in the bottom 9.6% nationally, and utility shutoff rests in the bottom 12.2% nationally. On the other side, distance to a community health center lands in the top 1.2% nationally, modeled radon settles in the top 5.6% nationally, and modeled arsenic rests in the top 6.8% nationally. Modeled fine-particle lands in the top 7.3% nationally.

For context, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 56232, about 7.8 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.

Compare within

Lifting this score

Preventive Care

healthier than 77%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 68%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 73%

8%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 79%

5%

About typical

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 58%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 60%

16%

Disability

healthier than 59%

7%

Holding it back

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 25%

14%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 2%

5%

Lifting this score

Preventive Care

healthier than 76%

13%

Mental Health

healthier than 86%

8%

About typical

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 53%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 44%

14%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 59%

11%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 55%

5%

Holding it back

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 29%

21%

Disability

healthier than 31%

7%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 9%

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.

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
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Arthritis among adults27.7%24.7–31.4
High blood pressure among adults35.9%32.2–40.5
Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults11.0%10.0–12.2
Current asthma among adults9.6%8.6–10.9
Coronary heart disease among adults8.2%7.3–9.3
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults7.0%5.9–8.1
Depression among adults22.6%19.6–26.4
Diagnosed diabetes among adults12.1%10.5–14.0
High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened37.4%33.6–42.3
Obesity among adults34.4%28.4–42.6
Stroke among adults4.0%3.5–4.5
All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years9.4%7.5–11.6
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years7.2%5.8–8.9
Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure80.9%78.4–83.6
Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults76.9%73.7–80.6
Cholesterol screening among adults86.5%84.7–88.4
Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years71.7%66.7–76.3
Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults68.0%64.4–71.4
Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years78.4%71.1–84.7
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Binge drinking among adults17.6%15.0–21.2
Current cigarette smoking among adults14.7%12.2–17.6
No leisure-time physical activity among adults26.0%22.0–31.1
Short sleep duration among adults28.9%23.1–35.4
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults17.8%15.3–20.7
Frequent mental distress among adults14.5%12.8–16.5
Frequent physical distress among adults12.9%11.3–14.8
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Cognitive disability among adults12.7%11.1–14.5
Any disability among adults31.4%27.5–36.2
Hearing disability among adults9.5%8.4–10.7
Independent living disability among adults7.6%6.6–8.8
Mobility disability among adults14.3%12.3–16.6
Self-care disability among adults3.6%3.1–4.1
Vision disability among adults4.4%3.8–5.0
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Lack of social and emotional support among adults20.3%17.2–24.1
Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults9.7%7.9–11.9
Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults7.0%5.5–8.6
Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults7.7%6.3–9.2
Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults6.1%5.2–7.1
Loneliness among adults28.4%23.9–33.7
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults4.9%4.1–5.7
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)MN median (p10–p90)
Poverty rate8.5%10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,3648.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872
Uninsured 18–645.5%9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,2866.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872
No HS diploma (25+)3.9%7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,5055.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873
Bachelor's or higher (25+)21.3%23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,50523.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873
Unemployment rate (16+)0.4%3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,2743.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872
Households without a vehicle1.8%3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,3223.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871
Broadband subscription89.3%89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,32289.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871
Housing cost burden (≥30% income)21.8%23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,32222.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871
Homeownership rate89.8%78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,32283.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871
Crowded housing (>1 per room)0.0%1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,3221.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871
Foreign-born population0.2%2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,5531.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873
Single-parent households63.3%53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,08756.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870
Population 65+16.4%19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,55320.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873
Median age46.9 yr42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,29242.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873
Median household income$81,250$72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318$77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864
Median home value$155,900$222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049$234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857
Median gross rent$506$1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670$925 ($650–$1,588) n=759
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)MN median (p10–p90)
Life expectancy at birth77.6 yr ± 0.4678.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,30881.1 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 0.46 years of 77.6, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.

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