State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM1
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM10
Hard · 121–180 PPM2
Very hard · 181+ PPM208
State water index
Minnesota water hardness
Search 252 indexed communities and 321 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median regional evidence
330PPM
Very Hard
Indexed range 46.6–1590 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 321
- Cities
- 252
- Matched utilities
- 252
- Counties
- 81
Understanding Minnesota
Why local comparisons matter here
Minnesota's water landscape includes major rivers and lakes, glacial aquifers, and deeper bedrock sources from the Twin Cities to prairie and northern forest regions.
In this index, very hard is the largest category, covering 208 of 221 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 330 PPM, but the full indexed range is 46.6–1590 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 69%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 32%
174
Low-confidence hardness profiles
37
Research-comparison eligible profiles
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 226
- Surface water
- 25
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 1
Highest medians
Highest eligible city medians
- 1. Minneapolis191 PPM
Lowest medians
Lowest eligible city medians
- 1. Minneapolis191 PPM
City directory
Explore Minnesota by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
252 cities · 321 ZIP profiles
252 cities found
Page 1 of 11
Ada
Norman County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Adrian
Nobles County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Aitkin
Aitkin County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Albany
Stearns County · 1 ZIP
387PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Albert Lea
Freeborn County · 1 ZIP
279PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Alexandria
Douglas County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Annandale
Wright County · 1 ZIP
312PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Apple Valley
Dakota County · 1 ZIP
333PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Appleton
Swift County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Arden Hills
Ramsey County · 1 ZIP
181PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Arlington
Sibley County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Atwater
Kandiyohi County · 1 ZIP
395PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Avon
Stearns County · 1 ZIP
387PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Babbitt
St. Louis County · 2 ZIPs
307PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Barnesville
Clay County · 1 ZIP
282PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Baxter
Crow Wing County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bayport
Washington County · 1 ZIP
282PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Becker
Sherburne County · 1 ZIP
299PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Belle Plaine
Scott County · 1 ZIP
321PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bemidji
Beltrami County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Benson
Swift County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Big Lake
Sherburne County · 1 ZIP
312PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bird Island
Renville County · 1 ZIP
233PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Blaine
Anoka County · 2 ZIPs
363PPM regional
Regional range 351–374.5No active flag
County comparison
Highest regional-evidence county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse County | 1590 PPM | 1590–1590 | 1 |
| Clay County | 716 PPM | 282–716 | 7 |
| Yellow Medicine County | 516 PPM | 516–516 | 2 |
| Lac Qui Parle County | 516 PPM | 516–516 | 2 |
| Polk County | 411 PPM | 328–493 | 3 |
| Meeker County | 395 PPM | 395–395 | 3 |
| Mcleod County | 395 PPM | 395–395 | 4 |
| Kandiyohi County | 395 PPM | 293–395 | 4 |
| Otter Tail County | 393 PPM | 393–393 | 5 |
| Becker County | 393 PPM | 393–393 | 2 |
| Stearns County | 387 PPM | 286–395 | 8 |
| Morrison County | 387 PPM | 387–387 | 2 |