ZIP code
50220
in Perry, IowaPopulation 9,216
48.44/ 100
Ranked #18,369 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 43%)
Ranked #762 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 17%)
Ranked #78 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (bottom 8.3%)
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
3.6 pCi/L
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST61stUS96thDefinition & 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
9.8 µg/L
in the bottom 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
18.1%
in the top 7.5% 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 ›Distance to a community health center
20.4 mi
in the top 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 12.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
143 units
in the top 14.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.11 per 1,000 residents
in the top 18% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
14.5%
in the top 22% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS78thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
13.7%
in the top 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
18.6%
in the top 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS75thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity 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.
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
Perry, Iowa (ZIP 50220), on the composite measure, lands in the bottom 43% nationally (18,369th) and the bottom 17% of Iowa (762nd).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Lithium in drinking water is in the bottom 5.9% nationally, civic rests in the top 11.1% nationally, and fatal road crashes sits in the bottom 11.7% nationally. Modeled pfas registers in the bottom 13.4% nationally. Distance to a nursing home lands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. On the other hand, modeled radon resides in the top 3.9% nationally, and arsenic lies in the top 7.5% nationally. Distance to a community health center settles in the top 8.0% nationally, and modeled disaster risk stands in the top 12.2% nationally.
In everyday language, 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. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 50039, 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
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 53%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 37%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 10%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 44%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 51%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 40%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 3%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 55%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 20%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Disability
healthier than 5%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 20%
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
50039
Iowashares a border
Score 57.83
Closest healthier
50066
Iowashares a border
Score 52.57
Similar health profile
68724
Nebraska96% similar profile
Score 48.35
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 | 28.1% | 25.4–30.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.7% | 33.3–40.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.1% | 7.4–8.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 8.7–11.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–9.1 |
| Depression among adults | 19.4% | 16.7–22.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.0% | 12.3–15.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.0% | 33.5–40.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.5% | 33.8–45.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.4% | 12.6–18.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.7% | 11.5–16.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.3% | 75.7–80.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.8% | 72.3–78.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.6% | 80.5–84.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.6% | 56.8–66.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.1% | 56.5–63.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.8% | 68.8–82.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.4% | 15.7–21.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.5% | 14.4–18.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.8% | 27.6–36.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.8% | 26.8–36.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 23.3% | 20.5–26.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.7% | 14.9–18.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.9% | 13.3–16.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.9% | 14.0–17.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.7% | 29.9–37.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.0% | 7.9–10.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.7% | 13.8–17.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.0–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.5–6.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.5% | 22.3–29.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.6% | 15.9–21.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.2% | 13.0–17.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.5% | 12.5–16.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 8.4–10.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.5% | 27.4–35.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.9–10.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 19.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 68.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 17.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 51.9% | 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 | 40.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $71,671 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $149,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $938 | $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 | 80.0 yr ± 1.27 | 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 1.27 years of 80.0, 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