ZIP code
50008
in Allerton, IowaPopulation 722
45.92/ 100
Ranked #21,438 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 33%)
Ranked #858 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 7.0%)
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.
Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.3 pCi/L
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST40thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
5.4%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
97.4%
in the top 7.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST77thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
17.2%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST79thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Loud transportation noise
1.8%
in the top 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
57.7 mi
in the top 9.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
17.9%
in the top 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS80thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
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
By its overall health score, Allerton, Iowa (ZIP 50008) lands in the bottom 33% nationally (21,438th) and the bottom 7.0% of Iowa (858th).
Neither strongly one way nor the other, the measures sit mixed: modeled industrial-pollution burden lies in the bottom 3.1% nationally, and fiber broadband resides in the top 7.6% nationally. Households without a vehicle lands at the national minimum, shared with about 16% of ZIPs. Distance to a Superfund site registers in the top 9.3% nationally. Crowded housing sits at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs. Against that, modeled radon rests in the top 7.2% nationally, energy burden is in the top 5.6% nationally, and arsenic stands in the top 8.2% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise settles in the top 9.1% nationally, and obesity lies in the top 11.7% nationally.
To translate a couple of terms, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 50052, just across the boundary.
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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 71%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 27%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 16%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
Disability
healthier than 33%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 8%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
“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
50052
Iowashares a border
Score 50.13
Closest healthier
50060
Iowashares a border
Score 49.63
Similar health profile
44120
Ohio97% similar profile
Score 42.79
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 | 33.2% | 29.5–36.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.8% | 35.4–44.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.4% | 9.4–11.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.7% | 9.4–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.8% | 7.7–9.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.2% | 8.8–11.6 |
| Depression among adults | 21.5% | 18.1–25.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.9% | 12.0–16.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.5% | 34.9–44.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.3% | 33.7–51.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–5.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.2% | 9.1–13.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.3% | 6.4–10.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.5% | 77.6–83.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.7% | 75.2–82.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.9% | 82.7–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.8% | 60.7–70.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.3% | 57.8–65.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.9% | 68.2–82.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.9% | 14.8–21.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.3% | 16.1–22.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.9% | 25.6–36.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.8% | 25.6–38.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.9% | 19.5–26.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.3% | 15.1–19.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.1% | 13.9–18.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.6% | 13.4–17.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.4% | 28.7–38.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.5% | 8.3–10.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.5% | 8.1–10.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.4% | 14.8–20.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.2% | 20.5–28.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.3% | 11.6–17.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.2% | 10.6–15.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.3% | 8.5–12.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.4–8.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.2% | 27.2–37.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.1–8.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 15.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 85.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 64.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 23.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 49.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $75,417 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $115,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $641 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $825 ($614–$1,113) n=771 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 77.3 yr ± 1.11 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 80.0 yr (77.2–83.4) n=917 |
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 1.11 years of 77.3, 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