ZIP code
50211
in Norwalk, IowaPopulation 16,835
60.81/ 100
Ranked #4,256 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 13.3%)
Ranked #49 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 5.4%)
Ranked #20 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (top 24%)
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
22.8%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS99thDefinition & 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
3.5 pCi/L
in the top 4.8% 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 ›Food insecurity
8.1%
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
16.9%
in the top 8.4% 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 ›Lack of transportation
5.1%
in the bottom 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
9.4%
in the bottom 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
7.2%
in the bottom 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
13.3%
in the bottom 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Stroke
2.5%
in the bottom 6.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
5.7%
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›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
Norwalk, Iowa (ZIP 50211), in overall standing, comes out in the top 13.3% healthiest ZIPs nationally (4,256th) and the top 5.4% of Iowa (49th).
An even profile, with readings pulling both ways: modeled food insecurity lies in the bottom 7.8% nationally, transportation registers in the bottom 8.7% nationally, and mobility disability is in the bottom 6.9% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity lies in the bottom 8.8% nationally, fair or poor health registers in the bottom 6.9% nationally, and stroke is in the bottom 6.7% nationally. Modeled independent living disability lies in the bottom 6.8% nationally. Against that, modeled binge drinking registers in the top 1.3% nationally, and radon is in the top 4.8% nationally. Modeled arsenic lies in the top 8.4% nationally.
Defined simply, for reference, 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 healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 50261, about 1.9 miles away.
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 85%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 91%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 74%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Disability
healthier than 92%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 65%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 95%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 97%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 68%
8%
Disability
healthier than 97%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 82%
16%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 44%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 60%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 17%
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
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 78.9 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $103,712 predicts 80.2 years — 1.3 years below.
Ranked #1,637 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 20.5; chronic-disease standing 85.3 — 65 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,893 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
50047
Iowashares a border
Score 54.29
Closest healthier
50261
Iowaabout 1.9 mi away
Score 63.20
Similar health profile
08085
New Jersey99% similar profile
Score 58.97
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 | 24.4% | 21.4–27.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.4% | 26.6–34.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.3% | 7.5–9.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.7% | 8.5–10.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.3–5.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.1% | 4.4–5.8 |
| Depression among adults | 20.6% | 17.4–23.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.9% | 7.6–10.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.3% | 30.3–38.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.8% | 31.9–45.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.5% | 2.3–2.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.9% | 5.5–8.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.2% | 4.3–6.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.3% | 73.1–79.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.7% | 73.0–80.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.3% | 84.3–88.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.6% | 62.7–72.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.7% | 67.5–73.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.4% | 73.6–86.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 22.8% | 19.2–26.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.1% | 10.1–14.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.1% | 16.6–23.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.1% | 26.3–38.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.3% | 11.3–15.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.2% | 13.4–17.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.7% | 9.3–12.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.5% | 10.0–13.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 22.8% | 19.4–26.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.1–6.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.0–6.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.1–10.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.5% | 2.2–2.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.1% | 17.9–24.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 6.6–9.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.1–7.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.0–8.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.3–5.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.2% | 25.4–34.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.0% | 4.3–5.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 37.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 51.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 14.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 38.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $103,712 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $316,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $851 | $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 | 78.9 yr ± 0.58 | 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 0.58 years of 78.9, 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