ZIP code
50125
in Indianola, IowaPopulation 20,121
57.38/ 100
Ranked #6,907 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 22%)
Ranked #125 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 13.6%)
Ranked #35 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (top 41%)
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.
Lithium in drinking water
230 µg/L
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
21.3%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS97thDefinition & 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
3.4 pCi/L
in the top 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST47thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
18.4%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
259 units
in the top 9.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 12.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS84thDefinition & 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 ›Fair or poor health
15.1%
in the bottom 14.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
10.0%
in the bottom 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS16thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
20.9 days/year
in the top 22% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS78thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
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
Indianola, Iowa (ZIP 50125) ranks in the top 22% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,907th) and the top 13.6% of Iowa (125th).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: subsidized affordable housing sits in the top 9.6% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity resides in the bottom 10.4% nationally. Modeled food insecurity stands in the bottom 13.5% nationally. Distance to a nursing home sits at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Lead in tap water resides in the bottom 14.2% nationally. By contrast, lithium in drinking water stands in the top 0.3% nationally, modeled binge drinking sits in the top 2.7% nationally, and modeled radon resides in the top 5.9% nationally. Modeled arsenic stands in the top 7.3% nationally, and disaster risk sits in the top 12.1% nationally.
Against its neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. 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. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 50001, 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 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 73%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 74%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 72%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 54%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 87%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 86%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 80%
11%
Disability
healthier than 87%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 75%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 44%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 49%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 17%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 65%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 58%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 48%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 54%
11%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 39%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 27%
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
50001
Iowashares a border
Score 58.41
Closest healthier
50211
Iowashares a border
Score 60.81
Similar health profile
51575
Iowa99% similar profile
Score 59.44
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 | 26.9% | 23.9–29.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.9% | 29.2–36.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.4–10.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.7–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.9 |
| Depression among adults | 20.9% | 17.7–24.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.0% | 8.6–11.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.8% | 31.8–39.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.4% | 31.7–45.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.8–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.4% | 8.4–12.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.6% | 4.7–6.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.7% | 76.0–81.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.4% | 73.8–80.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.3–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.8% | 64.0–73.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.8% | 66.6–73.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.2% | 72.1–85.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 21.3% | 17.9–25.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.5% | 10.6–14.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.3% | 18.6–26.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.5% | 25.9–37.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.1% | 13.0–17.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.8% | 13.9–17.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.8% | 10.3–13.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.6% | 11.1–14.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.2% | 22.6–30.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.4% | 9.8–13.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.2–4.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.5% | 18.4–24.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.6–10.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.1–8.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.3–8.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.2% | 26.7–36.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.5–6.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.5% | 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+) | 2.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 35.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 25.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 75.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 53.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 18.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 38.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $84,848 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $258,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $992 | $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 | 79.8 yr ± 0.69 | 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 0.69 years of 79.8, 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