Out of 598 ZIP codes with data in Minnesota, these are the highest-ranked areas for ej index. See also: National ZIP Codes with Highest Environmental Justice Concern | All Minnesota Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 598 |
| Highest value | 68/100 |
| Median value | 18/100 |
| State | Minnesota |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | EJ Index | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56523 | Climax | MN | 68/100 | 59/100 |
| 2 | 55414 | Minneapolis | MN | 62/100 | 68/100 |
| 3 | 55335 | Gibbon | MN | 60/100 | 33/100 |
| 4 | 56501 | Detroit Lakes | MN | 60/100 | 40/100 |
| 5 | 56537 | Fergus Falls | MN | 60/100 | 38/100 |
| 6 | 56735 | Lancaster | MN | 60/100 | 37/100 |
| 7 | 55454 | Minneapolis | MN | 54/100 | 64/100 |
| 8 | 55734 | Eveleth | MN | 52/100 | 79/100 |
| 9 | 55076 | Inver Grove Heights | MN | 50/100 | 58/100 |
| 10 | 55077 | Inver Grove Heights | MN | 50/100 | 58/100 |
| 11 | 55385 | Stewart | MN | 50/100 | 51/100 |
| 12 | 56001 | Mankato | MN | 50/100 | 59/100 |
| 13 | 56253 | Lake Lillian | MN | 50/100 | 45/100 |
| 14 | 56267 | Morris | MN | 50/100 | 45/100 |
| 15 | 56502 | Detroit Lakes | MN | 50/100 | 45/100 |
| 16 | 56538 | Fergus Falls | MN | 50/100 | 38/100 |
| 17 | 56572 | Pelican Rapids | MN | 50/100 | 40/100 |
| 18 | 56583 | Tintah | MN | 50/100 | 65/100 |
| 19 | 55404 | Minneapolis | MN | 49/100 | 68/100 |
| 20 | 56228 | Cosmos | MN | 48/100 | 61/100 |
| 21 | 55731 | Ely | MN | 46/100 | 78/100 |
| 22 | 55746 | Hibbing | MN | 46/100 | 53/100 |
| 23 | 56054 | Lafayette | MN | 46/100 | 55/100 |
| 24 | 56129 | Ellsworth | MN | 46/100 | 57/100 |
| 25 | 56477 | Sebeka | MN | 46/100 | 55/100 |
| 26 | 55401 | Minneapolis | MN | 44/100 | 68/100 |
| 27 | 55407 | Minneapolis | MN | 44/100 | 63/100 |
| 28 | 55413 | Minneapolis | MN | 44/100 | 68/100 |
| 29 | 55421 | Minneapolis | MN | 44/100 | 68/100 |
| 30 | 55422 | Minneapolis | MN | 44/100 | 63/100 |
| 31 | 55426 | Minneapolis | MN | 44/100 | 63/100 |
| 32 | 56274 | Norcross | MN | 44/100 | 66/100 |
| 33 | 56401 | Brainerd | MN | 44/100 | 81/100 |
| 34 | 56469 | Palisade | MN | 44/100 | 74/100 |
| 35 | 55065 | Randolph | MN | 42/100 | 54/100 |
| 36 | 55411 | Minneapolis | MN | 42/100 | 68/100 |
| 37 | 56601 | Bemidji | MN | 42/100 | 75/100 |
| 38 | 55069 | Rush City | MN | 40/100 | 75/100 |
| 39 | 55601 | Beaver Bay | MN | 40/100 | 52/100 |
| 40 | 55987 | Winona | MN | 40/100 | 57/100 |
| 41 | 56216 | Blomkest | MN | 40/100 | 51/100 |
| 42 | 55007 | Brook Park | MN | 38/100 | 58/100 |
| 43 | 55042 | Lake Elmo | MN | 38/100 | 63/100 |
| 44 | 55384 | Spring Park | MN | 38/100 | 56/100 |
| 45 | 55959 | Minnesota City | MN | 38/100 | 65/100 |
| 46 | 56160 | Odin | MN | 38/100 | 54/100 |
| 47 | 56173 | Steen | MN | 38/100 | 51/100 |
| 48 | 56525 | Comstock | MN | 38/100 | 69/100 |
| 49 | 55323 | Crystal Bay | MN | 36/100 | 47/100 |
| 50 | 55953 | Lyle | MN | 36/100 | 54/100 |
| 51 | 56441 | Crosby | MN | 36/100 | 81/100 |
| 52 | 56630 | Blackduck | MN | 36/100 | 81/100 |
| 53 | 56758 | Strandquist | MN | 36/100 | 69/100 |
| 54 | 55082 | Stillwater | MN | 34/100 | 64/100 |
| 55 | 55087 | Warsaw | MN | 34/100 | 61/100 |
| 56 | 55303 | Anoka | MN | 34/100 | 78/100 |
| 57 | 55402 | Minneapolis | MN | 34/100 | 63/100 |
| 58 | 55403 | Minneapolis | MN | 34/100 | 68/100 |
| 59 | 55425 | Minneapolis | MN | 34/100 | 64/100 |
| 60 | 55428 | Minneapolis | MN | 34/100 | 63/100 |
| 61 | 55429 | Minneapolis | MN | 34/100 | 68/100 |
| 62 | 56007 | Albert Lea | MN | 34/100 | 63/100 |
| 63 | 56137 | Heron Lake | MN | 34/100 | 64/100 |
| 64 | 56342 | Isle | MN | 34/100 | 79/100 |
| 65 | 56519 | Borup | MN | 34/100 | 67/100 |
| 66 | 56701 | Thief River Falls | MN | 34/100 | 56/100 |
| 67 | 55073 | Scandia | MN | 32/100 | 60/100 |
| 68 | 56125 | Dovray | MN | 32/100 | 66/100 |
| 69 | 56619 | Bemidji | MN | 32/100 | 75/100 |
| 70 | 56756 | Salol | MN | 32/100 | 47/100 |
| 71 | 55018 | Dennison | MN | 30/100 | 66/100 |
| 72 | 55036 | Henriette | MN | 30/100 | 53/100 |
| 73 | 55332 | Fairfax | MN | 30/100 | 68/100 |
| 74 | 55378 | Savage | MN | 30/100 | 66/100 |
| 75 | 55704 | Askov | MN | 30/100 | 81/100 |
| 76 | 55706 | Babbitt | MN | 30/100 | 71/100 |
| 77 | 55744 | Grand Rapids | MN | 30/100 | 82/100 |
| 78 | 55765 | Meadowlands | MN | 30/100 | 75/100 |
| 79 | 55808 | Duluth | MN | 30/100 | 71/100 |
| 80 | 55965 | Preston | MN | 30/100 | 62/100 |
| 81 | 56026 | Ellendale | MN | 30/100 | 65/100 |
| 82 | 56039 | Granada | MN | 30/100 | 61/100 |
| 83 | 56073 | New Ulm | MN | 30/100 | 62/100 |
| 84 | 56150 | Lakefield | MN | 30/100 | 69/100 |
| 85 | 56293 | Wabasso | MN | 30/100 | 69/100 |
| 86 | 56303 | Saint Cloud | MN | 30/100 | 45/100 |
| 87 | 56310 | Avon | MN | 30/100 | 61/100 |
| 88 | 56347 | Long Prairie | MN | 30/100 | 62/100 |
| 89 | 56360 | Osakis | MN | 30/100 | 44/100 |
| 90 | 56387 | Waite Park | MN | 30/100 | 65/100 |
| 91 | 56437 | Bertha | MN | 30/100 | 65/100 |
| 92 | 56470 | Park Rapids | MN | 30/100 | 70/100 |
| 93 | 56541 | Flom | MN | 30/100 | 54/100 |
| 94 | 56553 | Kent | MN | 30/100 | 62/100 |
| 95 | 56573 | Perham | MN | 30/100 | 65/100 |
| 96 | 56591 | White Earth | MN | 30/100 | 40/100 |
| 97 | 56633 | Cass Lake | MN | 30/100 | 83/100 |
| 98 | 56663 | Pennington | MN | 30/100 | 53/100 |
| 99 | 56672 | Remer | MN | 30/100 | 81/100 |
| 100 | 55003 | Bayport | MN | 28/100 | 52/100 |
Methodology
The Environmental Justice Index combines environmental risk factors (water violations, lead, flooding) with socioeconomic vulnerability indicators. Higher values indicate communities facing disproportionate environmental burden. This metric highlights areas where infrastructure investment and policy attention are most needed.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Environmental Justice Index?
The EJ Index identifies communities that face disproportionate environmental hazards relative to their socioeconomic resilience. Areas with high violation counts, aging infrastructure, AND vulnerable populations score highest. These areas need the most infrastructure investment.
Why does environmental justice matter for homebuyers?
High EJ Index areas often have deferred infrastructure maintenance, slower violation resolution, and less access to clean water alternatives. For homebuyers, this means potential hidden costs for water filtration, flood insurance, and home remediation.
Explore More Rankings
- Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Water in Minnesota
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- ZIP Codes with Highest Radon Risk in Minnesota
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- Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors
- ZIP Codes with Worst CO & Gas Risk in Minnesota
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