ZIP code
50146
in Linden, IowaPopulation 577
52.92/ 100
Ranked #12,201 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 38%)
Ranked #418 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 45%)
Ranked #67 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (bottom 21%)
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
3.7 pCi/L
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST63rdUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
1.5%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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 ›Binge drinking
20.1%
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST60thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
23.9 mi
in the top 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
11.6%
in the top 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
7.7%
in the bottom 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
18.2%
in the top 7.4% 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 ›Short sleep
29.5%
in the bottom 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
0.11%
in the bottom 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
5.2%
in the top 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›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
Linden, Iowa (ZIP 50146) ranks in the top 38% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,201st) and the top 45% of Iowa (418th).
A profile of give and take, with clear readings each way: housing-cost burden sits in the bottom 7.0% nationally, and modeled short sleep resides in the bottom 7.5% nationally. Modeled transportation noise stands in the bottom 8.6% nationally. On the other side, modeled radon sits in the top 3.7% nationally, nitrate resides in the top 6.0% nationally, and binge drinking stands in the top 5.8% nationally. Distance to a community health center sits in the top 6.2% nationally, unemployment resides in the top 6.9% nationally, and modeled arsenic stands in the top 7.4% nationally. Modeled energy burden sits in the top 7.7% nationally.
For context, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. 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 50167, 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 62%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 61%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Disability
healthier than 71%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 53%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 6%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 69%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 68%
8%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 48%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 20%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 17%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 74%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 61%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 4%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 13%
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
50066
Iowashares a border
Score 52.57
Closest healthier
50167
Iowashares a border
Score 57.31
Similar health profile
52165
Iowa96% similar profile
Score 56.20
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 | 28.6% | 25.7–31.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.3% | 32.7–40.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.0–7.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.1–8.2 |
| Depression among adults | 19.9% | 17.2–22.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.0% | 10.3–13.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.5% | 33.8–41.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.3% | 30.6–42.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.2% | 10.8–16.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.4–8.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.1% | 76.3–81.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.8% | 73.6–80.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.3% | 83.4–87.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.0% | 62.6–71.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.5% | 64.3–70.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.8% | 69.9–82.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.1% | 17.2–23.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.0% | 12.4–17.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.9% | 20.9–29.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 29.5% | 24.9–34.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.6% | 15.0–20.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.7% | 13.9–17.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.9% | 11.3–14.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.1% | 11.4–14.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.9% | 25.0–32.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.2–8.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.8% | 10.9–14.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.5% | 19.3–25.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 8.8–12.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.2–10.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.3–10.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.0% | 25.1–33.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.0–6.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 26.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 11.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 7.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 62.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 10.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 21.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 6.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 35.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $109,261 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $425,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 83.6 yr ± 2.13 | 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 2.13 years of 83.6, 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