Worst Infrastructure: Minnesota — 2026 Rankings

Out of 957 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Minnesota, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	957
Highest risk	71%
Median risk	43%
Average risk	43%
State	Minnesota

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	56030	Essig	MN	71%	Very High	40/100
2	56022	Darfur	MN	69%	Very High	63/100
3	56056	La Salle	MN	69%	Very High	40/100
4	56090	Vernon Center	MN	68%	Very High	66/100
5	56140	Ihlen	MN	65%	Very High	66/100
6	55950	Lansing	MN	64%	Very High	53/100
7	56046	Hope	MN	64%	Very High	40/100
8	56181	Welcome	MN	63%	Very High	66/100
9	55075	South Saint Paul	MN	62%	Very High	53/100
10	55335	Gibbon	MN	62%	Very High	33/100
11	56121	Ceylon	MN	62%	Very High	70/100
12	56262	Milan	MN	62%	Very High	55/100
13	55107	Saint Paul	MN	61%	Very High	45/100
14	56010	Amboy	MN	61%	Very High	42/100
15	56129	Ellsworth	MN	61%	Very High	57/100
16	55764	Marble	MN	60%	High	72/100
17	56020	Conger	MN	60%	High	66/100
18	56210	Barry	MN	60%	High	40/100
19	56287	Seaforth	MN	60%	High	40/100
20	56335	Greenwald	MN	60%	High	40/100
21	56735	Lancaster	MN	60%	High	37/100
22	55029	Grandy	MN	59%	High	53/100
23	56014	Bricelyn	MN	59%	High	66/100
24	56027	Elmore	MN	59%	High	66/100
25	56039	Granada	MN	59%	High	61/100
26	56060	Lewisville	MN	59%	High	66/100
27	56117	Bigelow	MN	59%	High	61/100
28	56313	Bock	MN	59%	High	83/100
29	56568	Nielsville	MN	59%	High	57/100
30	55118	Saint Paul	MN	58%	High	45/100
31	55708	Biwabik	MN	58%	High	83/100
32	55951	Le Roy	MN	58%	High	53/100
33	56009	Alden	MN	58%	High	42/100
34	56051	Kiester	MN	58%	High	66/100
35	56075	Northrop	MN	58%	High	59/100
36	56285	Sacred Heart	MN	58%	High	66/100
37	56292	Vesta	MN	58%	High	55/100
38	56755	Saint Vincent	MN	58%	High	45/100
39	55026	Frontenac	MN	57%	High	45/100
40	55333	Franklin	MN	57%	High	55/100
41	55746	Hibbing	MN	57%	High	53/100
42	55796	Winton	MN	57%	High	83/100
43	56013	Blue Earth	MN	57%	High	55/100
44	56023	Delavan	MN	57%	High	66/100
45	56068	Minnesota Lake	MN	57%	High	65/100
46	56097	Wells	MN	57%	High	62/100
47	56171	Sherburn	MN	57%	High	66/100
48	56256	Madison	MN	57%	High	66/100
49	56297	Wood Lake	MN	57%	High	66/100
50	55310	Bird Island	MN	56%	High	66/100
51	55409	Minneapolis	MN	56%	High	68/100
52	55782	Soudan	MN	56%	High	53/100
53	56029	Emmons	MN	56%	High	66/100
54	56032	Freeborn	MN	56%	High	66/100
55	56043	Hayward	MN	56%	High	50/100
56	56087	Springfield	MN	56%	High	65/100
57	56098	Winnebago	MN	56%	High	60/100
58	56113	Arco	MN	56%	High	66/100
59	56146	Kanaranzi	MN	56%	High	40/100
60	56160	Odin	MN	56%	High	54/100
61	56207	Alberta	MN	56%	High	55/100
62	56219	Browns Valley	MN	56%	High	45/100
63	56221	Chokio	MN	56%	High	55/100
64	56248	Herman	MN	56%	High	56/100
65	56249	Holloway	MN	56%	High	55/100
66	56255	Lucan	MN	56%	High	66/100
67	56446	Eagle Bend	MN	56%	High	63/100
68	56646	Gully	MN	56%	High	53/100
69	56716	Crookston	MN	56%	High	35/100
70	55105	Saint Paul	MN	55%	High	63/100
71	55342	Hector	MN	55%	High	70/100
72	55719	Chisholm	MN	55%	High	83/100
73	55946	Kenyon	MN	55%	High	66/100
74	55974	Spring Grove	MN	55%	High	55/100
75	56036	Glenville	MN	55%	High	70/100
76	56041	Hanska	MN	55%	High	70/100
77	56116	Beaver Creek	MN	55%	High	66/100
78	56222	Clara City	MN	55%	High	62/100
79	56236	Dumont	MN	55%	High	70/100
80	56253	Lake Lillian	MN	55%	High	45/100
81	56556	Mcintosh	MN	55%	High	70/100
82	56562	Moorhead	MN	55%	High	66/100
83	56581	Shelly	MN	55%	High	70/100
84	56592	Winger	MN	55%	High	66/100
85	56710	Alvarado	MN	55%	High	65/100
86	55407	Minneapolis	MN	54%	High	63/100
87	55412	Minneapolis	MN	54%	High	68/100
88	55419	Minneapolis	MN	54%	High	63/100
89	55716	Calumet	MN	54%	High	72/100
90	55753	Keewatin	MN	54%	High	72/100
91	55917	Blooming Prairie	MN	54%	High	70/100
92	55918	Brownsdale	MN	54%	High	70/100
93	55962	Peterson	MN	54%	High	66/100
94	55985	West Concord	MN	54%	High	65/100
95	56054	Lafayette	MN	54%	High	55/100
96	56065	Mapleton	MN	54%	High	70/100
97	56111	Alpha	MN	54%	High	65/100
98	56161	Okabena	MN	54%	High	67/100
99	56208	Appleton	MN	54%	High	70/100
100	56216	Blomkest	MN	54%	High	51/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.