ZIP code
50240
in St. Charles, IowaPopulation 2,393
57.75/ 100
Ranked #6,602 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 21%)
Ranked #119 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 13.0%)
Ranked #34 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (top 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.
Radon
4.1 pCi/L
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.8%
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Pharmacy access
0.42 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies 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 ›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 ›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 ›Food insecurity
8.4%
in the bottom 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
4.9%
in the bottom 12.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
6.3%
in the bottom 12.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS12thDefinition & 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 ›Fair or poor health
15.2%
in the bottom 14.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS15thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
5.2%
in the bottom 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›The read
St. Charles, Iowa (ZIP 50240) ranks in the top 21% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,602nd) and the top 13.0% of Iowa (119th).
A profile of give and take, with clear readings each way: pharmacy stands in the top 7.5% nationally, and modeled transportation sits in the bottom 8.7% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity resides in the bottom 8.8% nationally, and food insecurity stands in the bottom 9.2% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff sits in the bottom 12.2% nationally, fiber broadband resides in the top 13.6% nationally, and modeled independent living disability stands in the bottom 12.2% nationally. Housing-cost burden sits in the bottom 14.9% nationally. On the other side, modeled radon resides in the top 1.6% nationally, and binge drinking stands in the top 3.7% nationally.
For context, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 50218, about 0.7 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 70%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 66%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 82%
8%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 54%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 48%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 16%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 81%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 84%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 79%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 81%
8%
Disability
healthier than 90%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 33%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 48%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 44%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 35%
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
50125
Iowashares a border
Score 57.38
Closest healthier
50218
Iowaabout 0.7 mi away
Score 58.88
Similar health profile
52318
Iowa99% similar profile
Score 58.95
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 | 28.0% | 25.4–30.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.4% | 31.2–37.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.9–10.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 8.9–10.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–6.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.5–7.1 |
| Depression among adults | 19.9% | 17.5–22.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.6% | 9.4–11.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.3% | 34.1–40.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.0% | 32.4–43.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.9% | 7.6–10.5 |
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 | 78.8% | 76.5–81.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.6% | 75.9–81.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.6% | 86.1–88.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.0% | 66.6–73.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 71.9% | 69.4–74.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.4% | 74.4–84.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.8% | 18.2–23.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.5% | 11.5–15.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.0% | 18.9–25.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.6% | 27.4–36.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.2% | 13.4–17.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.6–16.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.2% | 10.9–13.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.9% | 10.6–13.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.4% | 22.4–28.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.5% | 10.1–13.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.2% | 19.5–25.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.1–10.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.5–7.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.2–8.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.5–5.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.3% | 26.7–34.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.9% | 4.3–5.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 13.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 86.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 68.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 18.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 43.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $107,563 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $305,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $855 | $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 | 82.5 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 82.5, 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