ZIP code
50228
in Prairie City, IowaPopulation 2,120
56.28/ 100
Ranked #7,990 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 25%)
Ranked #177 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 19%)
Ranked #44 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (bottom 48%)
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
4.3 pCi/L
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Grocery access
0.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.4%
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST67thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Civic-institution access
0.8 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
9.4%
in the bottom 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST21stUS8thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Loud transportation noise
1.9%
in the top 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
2.8%
in the bottom 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
15.5%
in the top 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST75thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
0.8 per 1,000 residents
in the top 11.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices located 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 ›Loneliness
29.5%
in the bottom 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS18thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
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
Prairie City, Iowa (ZIP 50228), in overall standing, comes out in the top 25% healthiest ZIPs nationally (7,990th) and the top 19% of Iowa (177th).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: grocery lands in the top 2.4% nationally, civic rests in the top 6.3% nationally, and modeled pfas settles in the bottom 7.7% nationally. Poverty lands in the bottom 9.0% nationally, and dental providers rests in the top 11.0% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled radon settles in the top 1.2% nationally, and binge drinking lands in the top 4.8% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise rests in the top 8.0% nationally. Fiber broadband settles at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled arsenic lands in the top 9.6% nationally.
Defined simply, for reference, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. 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 50170, 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 70%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 71%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 18%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 91%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 73%
11%
Disability
healthier than 83%
7%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 41%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 39%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 62%
16%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 51%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 40%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 39%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 35%
8%
“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 19.3; chronic-disease standing 69.8 — 51 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #14,436 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
50054
Iowashares a border
Score 55.05
Closest healthier
50170
Iowashares a border
Score 56.72
Similar health profile
51039
Iowa99% similar profile
Score 57.62
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 | 27.2% | 24.2–30.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.6% | 30.9–38.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–9.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–6.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.7–7.6 |
| Depression among adults | 20.8% | 17.7–24.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.7% | 9.2–12.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.5% | 31.6–39.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.5% | 31.1–44.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.8% | 9.6–14.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.9% | 4.7–7.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.4% | 74.5–80.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.5% | 75.0–81.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.9% | 83.9–87.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.5% | 64.0–72.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.1% | 64.9–71.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.9% | 70.9–83.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.4% | 17.3–23.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.1% | 12.6–17.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.9% | 19.0–27.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.1% | 25.7–36.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.3% | 14.0–18.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.1% | 14.1–18.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.4% | 10.8–14.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.8% | 11.1–14.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.1% | 23.3–31.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.2% | 10.4–14.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.7–3.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.4% | 19.2–25.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 7.9–11.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 6.4–9.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 6.7–9.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.9–6.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.5% | 25.2–34.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.7–6.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 2.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 11.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 81.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 49.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 20.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 40.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $90,833 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $211,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $800 | $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 | 79.8 yr ± 1.08 | 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 1.08 years of 79.8, 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