ZIP code
50161
in Maxwell, IowaPopulation 2,296
58.89/ 100
Ranked #5,680 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 18%)
Ranked #87 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 9.5%)
Ranked #27 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (top 32%)
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.
Binge drinking
22.1%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS98thDefinition & 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
3.7 pCi/L
in the top 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST64thUS97thDefinition & 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
29.5%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS97thDefinition & 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
28.6%
in the bottom 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
2.3%
in the bottom 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
8.5%
in the bottom 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
5.2%
in the bottom 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
6.1%
in the bottom 10.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›Tooth loss
7.4%
in the bottom 10.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
10.8%
in the bottom 13.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
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 the composite health measure, Maxwell, Iowa (ZIP 50161) ranks in the top 18% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,680th) and the top 9.5% of Iowa (87th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: modeled short sleep stands in the bottom 4.6% nationally, and poverty lies in the bottom 7.5% nationally. Modeled food insecurity lands in the bottom 9.8% nationally, and transportation sits in the bottom 9.9% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity is in the bottom 10.4% nationally, and childcare settles in the top 10.8% nationally. On the other side, modeled binge drinking resides in the top 1.8% nationally, radon registers in the top 3.5% nationally, and arsenic rests in the top 3.3% nationally. Fiber broadband stands at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs.
To spell things out, 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. Close by, ZIP 50035, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
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 76%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 80%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 62%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 76%
8%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 19%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 89%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 94%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 69%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 61%
8%
Disability
healthier than 92%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 56%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 53%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 14%
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
50035
Iowashares a border
Score 63.42
Closest healthier
50046
Iowashares a border
Score 63.43
Similar health profile
50261
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 63.20
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 | 26.6% | 24.1–28.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.1% | 30.1–35.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.6–10.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.8–10.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.7 |
| Depression among adults | 20.9% | 18.3–23.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.4% | 34.3–40.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.4% | 29.8–38.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.4% | 6.0–8.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.5% | 4.5–6.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.9% | 74.4–79.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.9% | 75.1–80.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.5% | 84.8–88.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.9% | 66.5–73.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 73.1% | 70.6–75.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.4% | 74.3–84.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 22.1% | 19.4–24.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.1% | 11.1–15.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.8% | 17.8–23.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.6% | 24.8–32.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.1% | 13.2–17.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.3% | 13.7–17.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.7% | 10.4–13.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.5–13.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.1% | 22.2–28.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.4–12.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.9% | 18.6–23.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.2–10.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.4–7.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.4–8.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–6.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.2% | 28.2–34.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.0% | 4.3–5.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 2.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 31.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 12.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.4% | 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 | 0.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 58.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 16.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 40.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $98,519 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $256,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $1,063 | $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 | 81.6 yr ± 1.44 | 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 1.44 years of 81.6, 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