ZIP code
56278
in Ortonville, MinnesotaPopulation 2,698
51.10/ 100
Ranked #14,694 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 46%)
Ranked #640 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (bottom 26%)
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.
Distance to a community health center
56.6 mi
in the top 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Pharmacy access
0.73 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies located 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 ›Elder-services access
0.37 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Short sleep
27.9%
in the bottom 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS3rdDefinition & 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
75.9 mi
in the top 5.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
20.8%
in the top 6.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS94thDefinition & 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 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST68thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.1 pCi/L
in the top 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST69thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Lithium in drinking water
66 µg/L
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
28.3%
in the bottom 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
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
Overall, Ortonville, Minnesota (ZIP 56278) lands in the top 46% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,694th) and the bottom 26% of Minnesota (640th).
The signals balance out across the profile, strengths against concerns: pharmacy registers in the top 2.2% nationally, and elder services rests in the top 3.6% nationally. Modeled short sleep stands in the bottom 2.9% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site lies in the top 5.7% nationally. Modeled loneliness lands in the bottom 9.0% nationally. Set against that, distance to a community health center sits in the top 0.7% nationally, modeled arsenic is in the top 6.1% nationally, and modeled fine-particle settles in the top 6.4% nationally. Modeled radon resides in the top 9.2% nationally, and lithium in drinking water registers in the top 7.2% nationally.
A note on the terms: 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. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 56212, just across the boundary, ranks better 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 80%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 73%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 73%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 40%
16%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 38%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 2%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 80%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 70%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 85%
8%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 57%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 7%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 31%
16%
Disability
healthier than 8%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 13%
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
56212
Minnesotashares a border
Score 54.20
Closest healthier
56221
Minnesotashares a border
Score 54.58
Similar health profile
56441
Minnesota97% similar profile
Score 51.47
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 | 30.3% | 26.9–33.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.6% | 33.5–41.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.7% | 10.6–12.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.2% | 6.9–9.6 |
| Depression among adults | 22.4% | 19.2–25.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.5% | 11.7–15.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.2% | 34.0–42.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.6% | 30.5–44.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.6% | 4.0–5.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.0% | 8.9–13.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.3% | 6.7–10.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 82.2% | 79.7–84.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.5% | 74.0–80.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.8% | 84.9–88.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.4% | 66.8–76.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.0% | 63.5–70.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.8% | 73.1–85.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.5% | 12.9–18.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.6% | 13.0–18.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.7% | 24.0–33.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 27.9% | 22.3–34.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.7% | 16.8–22.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.7% | 12.9–16.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.2% | 12.4–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.6% | 11.8–15.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.3% | 29.0–37.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.6–10.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.6% | 14.0–19.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.7–4.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.6–6.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.9% | 16.8–23.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.9% | 9.7–14.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 7.4–11.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.3–10.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–8.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.3% | 23.9–32.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.9–6.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 81.7% | 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 | 2.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 63.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 30.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 48.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $63,203 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $202,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $748 | $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 | 77.3 yr ± 1.05 | 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 1.05 years of 77.3, 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