ZIP code
56523
in Climax, MinnesotaPopulation 382
55.28/ 100
Ranked #9,111 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 28%)
Ranked #315 of 866 Minnesota ZIPs (top 36%)
Ranked #12 of 31 Grand Forks, ND-MN ZIPs (top 39%)
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.
Fiber broadband
100%
at the national maximum
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
38.7%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS98thDefinition & 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
2.7%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS97thDefinition & 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
3.4 pCi/L
in the top 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS94thDefinition & 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
85.8 mi
in the top 4.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Walkability
2.3 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 9.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
72.9%
in the top 7.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$56,685
in the bottom 24% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS24thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
14.1 days/year
in the top 29% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS71stDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
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
On the composite measure, Climax, Minnesota (ZIP 56523) stands in the top 28% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,111th) and the top 36% of Minnesota (315th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
Several signals sit on each side of the ledger here: fiber broadband rests at the national maximum, and distance to a Superfund site lands in the top 4.6% nationally. Modeled loneliness settles in the bottom 9.0% nationally, and colon screening rests in the top 7.6% nationally. Modeled mammography lands in the top 10.6% nationally, and housing insecurity settles in the bottom 13.3% nationally. Working the other way, modeled arsenic rests in the top 1.8% nationally, fine-particle lands in the top 2.7% nationally, and radon settles in the top 5.9% nationally. Walkability rests in the bottom 9.3% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, arsenic runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, 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. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. ZIP 56568, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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. Compare it against the US, this state and the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area.
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 67%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 60%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 75%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 79%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 38%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 12%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 57%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
in the top 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 79%
11%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Disability
healthier than 46%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
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
56568
Minnesotashares a border
Score 55.94
Closest healthier
58223
North Dakotashares a border
Score 56.47
Similar health profile
56536
Minnesota97% similar profile
Score 55.86
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 | 26.8% | 23.6–30.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.1% | 29.3–37.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.5% | 9.5–11.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.7–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.4–8.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.3–7.3 |
| Depression among adults | 23.6% | 20.3–27.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.2% | 9.6–13.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.8% | 30.8–38.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.7% | 32.0–45.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.1% | 6.5–10.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.4% | 5.1–7.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.7% | 76.7–82.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.4% | 73.0–79.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.9% | 86.2–89.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.9% | 68.5–77.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.8% | 67.7–73.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.1% | 73.6–85.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.5% | 15.5–21.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.2% | 11.7–16.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.2% | 19.3–27.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.2% | 27.0–38.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.1% | 13.6–18.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.1% | 12.4–16.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.3% | 10.7–14.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.9% | 10.3–13.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.3% | 23.5–31.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.3–9.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.4% | 10.5–14.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.3% | 2.9–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.4% | 17.2–23.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.2% | 7.4–11.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.1–8.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.3–9.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.0–6.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.3% | 23.9–33.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.0% | 4.1–5.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.4% (3.6–16.8%) n=872 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.2% (2.3–12.7%) n=872 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.5% (2.2–11.2%) n=873 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 32.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.4% (13.6–48.8%) n=873 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.8–7.1%) n=872 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.4% (0.4–9.1%) n=871 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (81.6–95.3%) n=871 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.1% (14.0–31.1%) n=871 |
| Homeownership rate | 80.8% | 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 | 2.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.1–11.9%) n=873 |
| Single-parent households | 58.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.9% (44.1–70.7%) n=870 |
| Population 65+ | 22.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–30.7%) n=873 |
| Median age | 39.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (35.2–54.3) n=873 |
| Median household income | $56,685 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $77,917 ($58,441–$110,840) n=864 |
| Median home value | $147,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $234,000 ($132,740–$396,860) n=857 |
| Median gross rent | $950 | $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 | 84.9 yr ± 2.18 | 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 2.18 years of 84.9, 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