ZIP code
50169
in Mitchellville, IowaPopulation 3,667
55.30/ 100
Ranked #9,096 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 28%)
Ranked #245 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 27%)
Ranked #52 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (bottom 39%)
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
3.5 pCi/L
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST55thUS95thDefinition & 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
25.7%
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.5%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST69thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Elder-services access
0.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Stroke
2.7%
in the bottom 10.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
5.2%
in the bottom 12.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
10.6%
in the bottom 11.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
30.1%
in the bottom 11.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
9.3%
in the bottom 10.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
5.8%
in the bottom 14.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
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
Mitchellville, Iowa (ZIP 50169), by its overall standing, sits in the top 28% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,096th) and the top 27% of Iowa (245th).
The profile opens balanced, with readings on either hand: elder services lands in the top 4.6% nationally, modeled stroke is in the bottom 10.2% nationally, and modeled coronary heart disease resides in the bottom 12.1% nationally. Modeled mobility disability rests in the bottom 11.9% nationally, high blood pressure lies in the bottom 11.5% nationally, and diabetes sits in the bottom 10.7% nationally. By contrast, modeled radon settles in the top 4.7% nationally, and arsenic registers in the top 4.3% nationally. Modeled binge drinking stands in the top 4.5% nationally. Fiber broadband lands at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs.
Defined in plain terms, 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 nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 50009, 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 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 64%
13%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 46%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 92%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 89%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Disability
healthier than 91%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 60%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 25%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 1%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 25%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 73%
21%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 22.3; chronic-disease standing 79.5 — 57 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,126 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
50009
Iowashares a border
Score 55.40
Closest healthier
50035
Iowashares a border
Score 63.42
Similar health profile
45819
Ohio97% similar profile
Score 53.85
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 | 26.2% | 23.9–28.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.1% | 27.6–32.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.7% | 7.0–8.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.8–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.9% | 5.0–6.9 |
| Depression among adults | 24.4% | 21.8–27.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.3% | 8.2–10.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.9% | 31.3–36.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.5% | 33.8–41.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.4–3.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.5% | 8.8–12.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.0% | 4.7–7.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.2% | 73.5–78.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.4% | 73.8–78.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.2–87.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.9% | 64.6–71.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.7% | 67.2–72.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.7% | 73.9–83.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.5% | 18.2–22.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.9% | 11.5–16.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.9% | 19.7–26.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.0% | 29.8–36.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.2% | 14.1–19.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.7% | 16.6–21.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.7% | 11.2–14.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.8% | 11.9–16.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.8% | 22.9–29.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.1–6.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.9% | 5.9–8.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.2–12.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–4.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.0% | 20.5–25.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.5% | 9.4–13.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 7.7–12.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.4–11.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.5–7.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.1% | 31.2–37.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.6–7.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.1% | 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 | 2.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 16.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 43.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 12.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 38.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $83,938 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $227,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $809 | $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 | 80.3 yr ± 0.98 | 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 0.98 years of 80.3, 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