ZIP code
50226
in Polk City, IowaPopulation 7,759
62.25/ 100
Ranked #3,364 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 10.5%)
Ranked #33 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 3.6%)
Ranked #15 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (top 18%)
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
23.2%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Median household income
$153,011
in the top 3.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
7.3%
in the bottom 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.7%
in the bottom 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
8.3%
in the bottom 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
5.1%
in the bottom 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS3rdDefinition & 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 ›Stroke
2.3%
in the bottom 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
4.9%
in the bottom 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
17.4%
in the top 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
7.1%
in the bottom 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
Polk City, Iowa (ZIP 50226), by its composite score, sits in the top 10.5% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,364th) and the top 3.6% of Iowa (33rd).
The data opens on a genuinely even set of readings: household income settles in the top 3.6% nationally, and modeled food insecurity sits in the bottom 4.7% nationally. Modeled transportation lies in the bottom 5.1% nationally, and mobility disability rests in the bottom 3.8% nationally. Modeled independent living disability resides in the bottom 3.1% nationally, stroke is in the bottom 4.3% nationally, and tooth loss lands in the bottom 2.0% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity stands in the bottom 8.1% nationally. On the other side, modeled binge drinking registers in the top 1.1% nationally, and arsenic settles in the top 8.0% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 50023, 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 90%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 94%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 65%
8%
Disability
healthier than 96%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 97%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 99%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 87%
11%
Disability
healthier than 99%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 44%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 93%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 69%
11%
Disability
healthier than 92%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 64%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 42%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 29%
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 23.6; chronic-disease standing 90.3 (top 10%) — 67 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,092 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
50023
Iowashares a border
Score 62.96
Closest healthier
50109
Iowashares a border
Score 62.85
Similar health profile
45065
Ohio99% similar profile
Score 62.44
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 | 24.5% | 22.4–26.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 28.7% | 26.3–31.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.8% | 7.0–8.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.7% | 8.6–10.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.6% | 3.8–5.5 |
| Depression among adults | 22.2% | 19.7–24.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.3% | 7.2–9.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.0% | 31.2–36.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.4% | 31.8–39.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.3% | 2.0–2.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 4.9% | 3.9–5.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.5% | 3.4–5.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.9% | 71.7–77.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.8% | 73.0–78.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.7% | 84.6–88.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.3% | 63.6–70.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 75.3% | 72.9–77.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.8% | 73.1–83.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 23.2% | 20.5–26.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.2% | 8.8–13.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 17.9% | 15.2–20.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.9% | 27.5–34.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.9% | 10.9–15.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.8% | 13.9–17.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.8% | 9.4–12.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.9% | 9.3–12.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 21.2% | 18.4–23.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–5.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.3–5.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.0–9.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.2% | 1.9–2.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.6% | 2.3–3.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.5% | 17.9–23.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 5.7–9.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 4.3–7.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 5.7–8.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.7% | 3.9–5.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.7% | 27.7–33.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 4.0–5.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 46.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 57.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 15.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 41.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $153,011 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $417,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $867 | $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 | 81.6 yr ± 1.13 | 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 1.13 years of 81.6, 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