ZIP code
56255
in Lucan, MinnesotaPopulation 389
50.59/ 100
Ranked #15,437 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 48%)
Ranked #668 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (bottom 23%)
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.
Energy-cost burden
7.0%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
44.1%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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
3.6 pCi/L
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
0.00%
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
28.7%
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
0.02%
in the bottom 6.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
66.4 mi
in the top 7.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Fiber broadband
96.5%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
19.2%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS90thDefinition & 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 ›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
By the composite health measure, Lucan, Minnesota (ZIP 56255) ranks in the top 48% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,437th) and the bottom 23% of Minnesota (668th).
The signals balance out across the profile, strengths against concerns: floodplain exposure registers at the national minimum, and modeled short sleep rests in the bottom 4.9% nationally. Modeled transportation noise stands in the bottom 6.1% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site lies in the top 7.3% nationally. Fiber broadband lands in the top 8.8% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise sits at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Set against that, modeled energy burden is in the top 1.2% nationally, arsenic settles in the top 1.2% nationally, and radon resides in the top 3.9% nationally. Modeled fine-particle registers in the top 8.6% nationally.
To spell things out, 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. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Close by, ZIP 56180, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
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 71%
21%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 48%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 57%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 7%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 38%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 13%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
“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
56152
Minnesotashares a border
Score 48.99
Closest healthier
56180
Minnesotashares a border
Score 52.12
Similar health profile
56116
Minnesota94% similar profile
Score 51.04
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 | 25.1% | 22.2–28.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.3% | 28.6–36.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.8% | 8.0–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.3–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.8% | 5.8–7.9 |
| Depression among adults | 25.2% | 21.9–28.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.3% | 9.7–12.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.4% | 30.7–38.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.9% | 30.0–44.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.7% | 7.7–11.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.5% | 6.0–9.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.0% | 74.1–79.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.0% | 70.3–77.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.0% | 81.8–86.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.0% | 63.9–73.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.2% | 60.7–67.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.0% | 70.9–84.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.2% | 16.1–22.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.8% | 14.0–19.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.1% | 20.2–28.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.7% | 22.9–34.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.9% | 15.2–21.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.7% | 14.7–18.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.5% | 12.6–16.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.4% | 25.4–33.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.8% | 7.0–8.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.0–9.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.0–14.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.5% | 3.9–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.7% | 17.4–24.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 10.0–15.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 7.5–11.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 7.9–11.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.4–8.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.7% | 26.0–35.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.3–7.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 19.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 26.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.9% (67.0–94.0%) n=871 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.9%) n=871 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 47.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 15.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 36.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $66,667 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $170,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $683 | $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 | 83.5 yr ± 1.80 | 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 1.80 years of 83.5, 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