ZIP code
50208
in Newton, IowaPopulation 20,595
47.39/ 100
Ranked #19,681 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 39%)
Ranked #809 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 12.3%)
Ranked #79 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (bottom 7.1%)
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
4.7 pCi/L
in the top 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Lithium in drinking water
97 µg/L
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
442 units
in the top 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
16.8%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 14.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS85thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
3.5 mi
in the bottom 16% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS16thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS83rdDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS81stDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
65.5%
in the bottom 22% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS22ndDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
8.9%
in the top 31% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS69thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
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.
USGS models a high likelihood that groundwater arsenic here exceeds 10 µg/L — the level EPA sets as the limit for public water systems — and this area's modeled radon runs above EPA's 4 pCi/L action level.
See the full radon & arsenic analysis →
The read
Newton, Iowa (ZIP 50208), overall, ranks in the bottom 39% nationally (19,681st) and the bottom 12.3% of Iowa (809th).
Reading across the data, the real pressures come first: modeled radon registers in the top 0.5% nationally, lithium in drinking water resides in the top 2.5% nationally, and modeled arsenic settles in the top 8.5% nationally. Modeled binge drinking is in the top 12.7% nationally, and disaster risk sits in the top 14.6% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility lands at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. More encouragingly, subsidized affordable housing lies in the top 5.2% nationally. Distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Distance to a nursing home rests at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Lead in tap water registers in the bottom 15% nationally.
Measured against the nearby ZIPs, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. ZIP 50028, just across the boundary, comes out 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.
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 52%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 42%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 48%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 60%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 13%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 33%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 48%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 7%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 29%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 11%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 7%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
“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
2 of our published findings list 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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 77.0 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $62,306 predicts 78.2 years — 1.2 years below.
Ranked #1,557 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 77.0 ± 1.2 years. The 50 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.7 years — 3.7 years below them.
Ranked #2,863 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
50028
Iowashares a border
Score 56.09
Closest healthier
50054
Iowashares a border
Score 55.05
Similar health profile
19611
Pennsylvania94% similar profile
Score 36.09
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 | 29.7% | 26.5–33.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.1% | 35.1–43.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.3–10.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.1% | 7.3–9.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.2–10.3 |
| Depression among adults | 20.9% | 17.7–24.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.5% | 11.6–15.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.1% | 33.0–41.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.4% | 33.6–47.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.2% | 3.8–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.1% | 9.8–14.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.2% | 7.8–10.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.1% | 75.3–80.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.2% | 74.6–81.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.7% | 80.7–84.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.4% | 61.5–71.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.4% | 58.8–65.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.6% | 67.9–82.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.8% | 15.7–22.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.6% | 17.1–22.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.3% | 24.9–33.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.5% | 26.8–38.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.4% | 19.7–25.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.5% | 15.6–19.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.3–16.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.9% | 14.2–17.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.8% | 29.7–37.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.4% | 14.4–18.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.3–5.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.4% | 21.2–27.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.3% | 14.1–18.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.6% | 13.7–17.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.9% | 10.3–13.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.8–9.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.8% | 26.3–35.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.8–10.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 56.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 20.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 42.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $62,306 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $168,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $833 | $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 | 77.0 yr ± 0.61 | 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 0.61 years of 77.0, 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