ZIP code
56228
in Cosmos, MinnesotaPopulation 922
50.09/ 100
Ranked #16,116 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 50%)
Ranked #689 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (bottom 20%)
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.
Child-care access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Civic-institution access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
7.2%
in the bottom 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
26%
in the top 4.2% 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 ›Radon
3.2 pCi/L
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
0.90%
in the top 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST44thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
17.5 mi
in the top 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST47thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a nursing home
9.6 mi
in the top 11.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
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
Cosmos, Minnesota (ZIP 56228), by its composite score, sits in the bottom 50% nationally (16,116th) and the bottom 20% of Minnesota (689th).
The data opens on a genuinely even set of readings: childcare resides in the top 1.5% nationally, and civic is in the top 3.0% nationally. Modeled pfas lands in the bottom 3.7% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise stands at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. On the other side, modeled arsenic registers in the top 4.2% nationally, radon settles in the top 7.4% nationally, and fine-particle sits in the top 9.9% nationally. Distance to a community health center lies in the top 9.9% nationally, distance to a nursing home rests in the top 11.8% nationally, and modeled binge drinking resides in the top 12.7% nationally.
For anyone unfamiliar, 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. 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. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 55355, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 43%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 30%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 37%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 64%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 37%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 22%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 7%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Disability
healthier than 19%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 38%
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
55314
Minnesotashares a border
Score 48.21
Closest healthier
55355
Minnesotashares a border
Score 52.23
Similar health profile
56518
Minnesota96% similar profile
Score 51.57
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 | 25.4% | 22.6–28.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.2% | 30.4–38.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.2% | 8.3–10.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.2–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.4–8.5 |
| Depression among adults | 24.8% | 21.5–28.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.6% | 11.0–14.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.5% | 30.7–38.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.8% | 32.0–46.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.9% | 8.1–11.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.4% | 6.9–10.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.4% | 75.5–81.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.0% | 71.4–78.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.3% | 82.1–86.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.6% | 62.2–70.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.6% | 58.1–65.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.9% | 69.8–82.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.8% | 15.8–22.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.8% | 15.2–20.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.5% | 23.1–32.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.0% | 25.8–36.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.9% | 16.3–21.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.5% | 14.6–18.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.4% | 11.8–15.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.7% | 12.9–16.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.3% | 26.3–34.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.4–9.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.1–16.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.6% | 18.5–25.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 10.9–15.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.4–12.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.5–11.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.8% | 6.8–9.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.4% | 25.3–33.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.6–7.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 13.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 11.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 87.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 60.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 19.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 47.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $69,844 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $152,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $697 | $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 | 83.6 yr ± 1.02 | 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 1.02 years of 83.6, 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