ZIP code
50036
in Boone, IowaPopulation 16,154
53.95/ 100
Ranked #10,762 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 34%)
Ranked #341 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 37%)
Ranked #18 of 19 Ames, IA ZIPs (bottom 5.3%)
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.
Radon
4.1 pCi/L
in the top 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20%
in the top 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST57thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.12 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS91stDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Obesity
43.1%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
136 units
in the top 15% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS84thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Boone, Iowa (ZIP 50036) places in the top 34% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,762nd) and the top 37% of Iowa (341st).
The measures land in both directions, and neither dominates: distance to an emergency room settles at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Mental-health providers sits in the top 8.5% nationally, and modeled pfas lies in the bottom 12.3% nationally. Elder services rests in the top 12.5% nationally. Distance to a nursing home resides at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Subsidized affordable housing is in the top 15% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled radon lands in the top 1.7% nationally, binge drinking stands in the top 6.2% nationally, and disaster risk registers in the top 9.0% nationally. Modeled obesity settles in the top 8.6% nationally.
Beside the areas that surround it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 50014, 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. Compare it against the US, this state and the Ames, IA metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 66%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 74%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 75%
8%
Disability
healthier than 71%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 58%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 41%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 56%
16%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 6%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 33%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 6%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 39%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
“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 ›
Findings that name this ZIP
One of our published findings lists this ZIP code. Each finding compares one published measure against a stated benchmark, and names only the ZIP codes whose estimates are reliable enough to rank. See all surprising findings.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 82.3 ± 2.5 years. A median household income of $79,255 predicts 79.2 years — 3.1 years above.
Ranked #405 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
50014
Iowashares a border
Score 54.85
Closest healthier
50130
Iowashares a border
Score 56.69
Similar health profile
46322
Indiana98% similar profile
Score 54.22
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 | 28.9% | 25.8–32.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.1% | 33.1–41.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.9% | 9.0–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.2% | 6.3–8.2 |
| Depression among adults | 20.3% | 17.3–23.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.5% | 10.0–13.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.5% | 33.5–42.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.1% | 35.8–51.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.6% | 8.6–12.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.2% | 5.2–7.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.8% | 76.0–81.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.5% | 75.1–81.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.7% | 84.0–87.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.3% | 63.5–72.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.6% | 65.1–71.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.6% | 71.4–84.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.0% | 16.9–23.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.6% | 12.4–17.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.6% | 21.5–30.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.2% | 28.0–40.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.4% | 15.1–20.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.1–18.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.9% | 11.4–14.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.4–14.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.8% | 24.2–32.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–8.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.2% | 11.5–15.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.4% | 20.1–27.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.3% | 8.6–12.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.1–10.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 6.9–9.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.0% | 5.2–6.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.9% | 27.3–37.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 4.9–6.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 28.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 76.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 53.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 18.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 41.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $79,255 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $194,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $847 | $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 | 82.3 yr ± 1.30 | 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 1.30 years of 82.3, 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