ZIP code
50225
in Pleasantville, IowaPopulation 3,364
51.13/ 100
Ranked #14,633 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 46%)
Ranked #556 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 40%)
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.
Lithium in drinking water
110 µg/L
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.7%
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS96thDefinition & 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
0.33 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.3 pCi/L
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST44thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.65%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
16.3%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
42.4%
in the top 11.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
21.2 days/year
in the top 21% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS79thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
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, Pleasantville, Iowa (ZIP 50225) ranks in the top 46% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,633rd) and the bottom 40% of Iowa (556th).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: elder services registers in the top 4.0% nationally, and modeled short sleep rests in the bottom 10.5% nationally. Distance to a nursing home stands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Set against that, lithium in drinking water lies in the top 1.9% nationally, modeled binge drinking lands in the top 3.9% nationally, and modeled radon sits in the top 6.5% nationally. Modeled nitrate is in the top 7.0% nationally, arsenic settles in the top 8.8% nationally, and obesity resides in the top 11.3% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise registers in the top 15% nationally.
To spell things out, lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Close by, ZIP 50001, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Disability
healthier than 63%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 56%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 51%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 36%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 61%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 52%
11%
Disability
healthier than 56%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 16%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 16%
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
50001
Iowashares a border
Score 58.41
Closest healthier
50047
Iowashares a border
Score 54.29
Similar health profile
17582
Pennsylvania95% similar profile
Score 49.31
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 | 28.8% | 25.8–32.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.0% | 32.3–40.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.5–10.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 9.1–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.6–8.7 |
| Depression among adults | 22.3% | 19.2–25.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.5% | 9.9–13.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.8% | 32.1–40.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.4% | 35.8–49.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.2% | 10.8–15.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.6% | 5.4–8.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.6% | 74.7–80.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.5% | 73.9–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.8% | 82.7–86.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.5% | 61.1–70.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.6% | 64.4–70.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.6% | 69.7–82.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.7% | 17.5–24.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.6% | 14.0–19.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.2% | 21.0–29.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.2% | 24.9–35.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.6% | 15.9–21.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.1% | 15.1–19.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.6% | 11.9–15.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.3–16.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.6% | 26.4–34.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–8.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.9% | 11.9–16.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.2–4.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.4% | 20.1–26.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.6% | 9.6–13.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.0–11.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.0% | 7.6–10.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.7–7.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.3% | 26.8–35.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 80.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 46.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 11.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 37.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $69,923 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $168,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $840 | $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 | 79.7 yr ± 0.82 | 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 0.82 years of 79.7, 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