ZIP code
56251
in Kandiyohi, MinnesotaPopulation 949
58.15/ 100
Ranked #6,271 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #182 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 21%)
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.
Arsenic in groundwater
39.9%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & 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
3.3 pCi/L
in the top 7.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.2%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Mammography
82.1%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
8.7%
in the bottom 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.1%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST50thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
32.1%
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
3.6%
in the bottom 12.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
29.6%
in the bottom 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
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
Kandiyohi, Minnesota (ZIP 56251), by its overall standing, sits in the top 20% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,271st) and the top 21% of Minnesota (182nd).
The measures fall on both sides of the ledger for this area: modeled mammography stands in the top 3.8% nationally, pfas lands in the bottom 6.2% nationally, and high cholesterol is in the bottom 6.8% nationally. Poverty resides in the bottom 12.1% nationally, modeled high blood pressure rests in the bottom 9.8% nationally, and modeled mobility disability lies in the bottom 11.4% nationally. Set against that, modeled arsenic sits in the top 1.6% nationally, and radon settles in the top 7.1% nationally. Modeled binge drinking registers in the top 5.5% nationally, and fine-particle stands in the top 8.6% nationally.
Defined in plain 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. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 56288, 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 83%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 73%
21%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 45%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 42%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 40%
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
56201
Minnesotashares a border
Score 51.46
Closest healthier
56288
Minnesotashares a border
Score 59.11
Similar health profile
12208
New York99% similar profile
Score 61.51
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 | 22.1% | 19.4–24.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.6% | 25.9–33.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.7–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.1–6.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.4% | 4.5–6.3 |
| Depression among adults | 24.2% | 20.7–27.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.0% | 8.6–11.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.1% | 28.3–35.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.1% | 32.0–46.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.6–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.4% | 6.7–10.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.2% | 5.8–8.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.3% | 73.3–79.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.0% | 70.3–77.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.4% | 82.3–86.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.2% | 66.3–75.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.6% | 66.2–72.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.1% | 75.9–87.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.2% | 16.9–23.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.5% | 11.1–16.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.0% | 17.3–25.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.3% | 25.9–36.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.6% | 12.4–17.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.2–17.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.3% | 9.8–12.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.8% | 11.0–14.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.2% | 22.4–30.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.1–7.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.5% | 8.9–12.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.6–3.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.2–4.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.1% | 17.1–23.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.9% | 8.0–12.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.5–8.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 6.9–9.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.6–7.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.0% | 25.7–34.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.4–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 24.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 81.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 52.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 17.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 42.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $76,917 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $218,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $787 | $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 | 84.8 yr ± 1.83 | 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 1.83 years of 84.8, 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