2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Minnesota — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

1,009 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 56523 (Climax, MN) - 71/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 1,009 ZIP codes with data in Minnesota, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Minnesota Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 1,009
Highest value 71/100
Median value 33/100
State Minnesota

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 56523 Climax MN 71/100 59/100
2 56735 Lancaster MN 63/100 37/100
3 56550 Hendrum MN 62/100 53/100
4 55335 Gibbon MN 61/100 33/100
5 56568 Nielsville MN 61/100 57/100
6 55018 Dennison MN 58/100 66/100
7 56253 Lake Lillian MN 58/100 45/100
8 56546 Georgetown MN 57/100 59/100
9 55950 Lansing MN 56/100 53/100
10 56733 Kennedy MN 56/100 65/100
11 55385 Stewart MN 55/100 51/100
12 56574 Perley MN 55/100 65/100
13 56755 Saint Vincent MN 55/100 45/100
14 55402 Minneapolis MN 54/100 63/100
15 56117 Bigelow MN 54/100 61/100
16 56129 Ellsworth MN 54/100 57/100
17 56537 Fergus Falls MN 54/100 38/100
18 55003 Bayport MN 53/100 52/100
19 55912 Austin MN 53/100 53/100
20 55991 Zumbro Falls MN 53/100 64/100
21 56267 Morris MN 53/100 45/100
22 56274 Norcross MN 53/100 66/100
23 55959 Minnesota City MN 52/100 65/100
24 56039 Granada MN 52/100 61/100
25 56096 Waterville MN 52/100 60/100
26 56241 Granite Falls MN 52/100 48/100
27 56501 Detroit Lakes MN 52/100 40/100
28 56510 Ada MN 52/100 48/100
29 56548 Halstad MN 52/100 60/100
30 56580 Sabin MN 52/100 64/100
31 56583 Tintah MN 52/100 65/100
32 56728 Hallock MN 52/100 52/100
33 56744 Oslo MN 52/100 47/100
34 56762 Warren MN 52/100 55/100
35 56054 Lafayette MN 51/100 55/100
36 56062 Madelia MN 51/100 57/100
37 56525 Comstock MN 51/100 69/100
38 56757 Stephen MN 51/100 52/100
39 56009 Alden MN 50/100 42/100
40 56034 Garden City MN 50/100 45/100
41 56216 Blomkest MN 50/100 51/100
42 56278 Ortonville MN 50/100 59/100
43 56522 Campbell MN 50/100 56/100
44 56701 Thief River Falls MN 50/100 56/100
45 55026 Frontenac MN 49/100 45/100
46 55953 Lyle MN 49/100 54/100
47 55987 Winona MN 49/100 57/100
48 56026 Ellendale MN 49/100 65/100
49 56111 Alpha MN 49/100 65/100
50 56123 Currie MN 49/100 70/100
51 56219 Browns Valley MN 49/100 45/100
52 56228 Cosmos MN 49/100 61/100
53 56236 Dumont MN 49/100 70/100
54 56296 Wheaton MN 49/100 52/100
55 56520 Breckenridge MN 49/100 55/100
56 56572 Pelican Rapids MN 49/100 40/100
57 55065 Randolph MN 48/100 54/100
58 55087 Warsaw MN 48/100 61/100
59 55935 Fountain MN 48/100 70/100
60 56042 Hartland MN 48/100 65/100
61 56043 Hayward MN 48/100 50/100
62 56160 Odin MN 48/100 54/100
63 56173 Steen MN 48/100 51/100
64 56232 Dawson MN 48/100 64/100
65 56265 Montevideo MN 48/100 60/100
66 56535 Erskine MN 48/100 57/100
67 56751 Roseau MN 48/100 54/100
68 55043 Lakeland MN 47/100 60/100
69 55734 Eveleth MN 47/100 79/100
70 55941 Hokah MN 47/100 62/100
71 55965 Preston MN 47/100 62/100
72 56010 Amboy MN 47/100 42/100
73 56137 Heron Lake MN 47/100 64/100
74 56343 Kensington MN 47/100 61/100
75 56517 Beltrami MN 47/100 58/100
76 56519 Borup MN 47/100 67/100
77 56721 East Grand Forks MN 47/100 50/100
78 55396 Winthrop MN 46/100 65/100
79 56007 Albert Lea MN 46/100 63/100
80 56036 Glenville MN 46/100 70/100
81 56161 Okabena MN 46/100 67/100
82 56594 Wolverton MN 46/100 69/100
83 56710 Alvarado MN 46/100 65/100
84 56731 Humboldt MN 46/100 45/100
85 56758 Strandquist MN 46/100 69/100
86 55407 Minneapolis MN 45/100 63/100
87 55454 Minneapolis MN 45/100 64/100
88 55731 Ely MN 45/100 78/100
89 56080 Saint Clair MN 45/100 53/100
90 56211 Beardsley MN 45/100 70/100
91 56276 Odessa MN 45/100 68/100
92 56295 Watson MN 45/100 64/100
93 56713 Argyle MN 45/100 57/100
94 55069 Rush City MN 44/100 75/100
95 55090 Willernie MN 44/100 53/100
96 55405 Minneapolis MN 44/100 68/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

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 Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead service-line indicators and system-level action-level exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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