ZIP code
50039
in Bouton, IowaPopulation 344
57.83/ 100
Ranked #6,546 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #116 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 12.6%)
Ranked #32 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (top 38%)
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.
Crowded housing
14.7%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
21%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.3 pCi/L
in the top 7.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST41stUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
28.3%
in the bottom 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Mammography
81.4%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
28.2%
in the bottom 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
16.2%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
72.1%
in the top 10.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
6.3%
in the bottom 12.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Lithium in drinking water
12 µg/L
in the bottom 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS18thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
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
On the composite measure, Bouton, Iowa (ZIP 50039) stands in the top 20% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,546th) and the top 12.6% of Iowa (116th).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: modeled short sleep rests in the bottom 3.8% nationally. Households without a vehicle lands at the national minimum, shared with about 16% of ZIPs. Modeled mammography settles in the top 5.5% nationally, loneliness rests in the bottom 8.4% nationally, and housing insecurity lands in the bottom 11.4% nationally. By contrast, crowded housing settles in the top 2.3% nationally, modeled binge drinking rests in the top 3.3% nationally, and modeled radon lands in the top 7.1% nationally. Modeled arsenic settles in the top 9.0% nationally, and distance to a community health center rests in the top 10.1% nationally.
For clarity, 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. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. ZIP 50276, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 67%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 84%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 62%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 87%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 12%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 76%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 75%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 61%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 89%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 94%
8%
Disability
healthier than 83%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 25%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 33%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 92%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 75%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 73%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 46%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 38%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 25%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
50167
Iowashares a border
Score 57.31
Closest healthier
50276
Iowashares a border
Score 61.54
Similar health profile
50153
Iowa99% similar profile
Score 56.11
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 | 28.2% | 25.3–31.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.4% | 32.8–40.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.8–10.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.2% | 8.2–10.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–8.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.6–7.9 |
| Depression among adults | 18.9% | 16.2–21.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.6% | 9.9–13.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.8% | 34.1–41.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.2% | 29.6–41.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 2.9–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.0% | 8.1–12.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.7% | 4.4–7.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.1% | 76.4–81.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.8% | 73.5–79.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.0% | 83.9–87.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.1% | 67.7–76.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.3% | 67.2–73.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.4% | 75.7–86.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 21.0% | 18.0–24.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.9% | 11.1–16.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.4% | 18.5–26.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.3% | 23.7–33.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.1% | 13.5–19.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.7% | 12.8–16.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.2% | 10.5–14.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.1% | 10.3–14.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.5% | 23.5–31.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.0–9.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.8% | 9.9–13.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.6–3.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.2–4.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.3% | 19.1–25.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.0–10.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 5.5–8.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.2–9.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.7–6.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.2% | 24.2–32.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.3–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 13.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.6% | 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 | 84.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 18.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 72.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 14.7% | 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 | 48.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 18.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 36.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $86,250 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | — | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $986 | $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 | 79.1 yr ± 1.05 | 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 1.05 years of 79.1, 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