ZIP code
50243
in Sheldahl, IowaPopulation 361
62.31/ 100
Ranked #3,335 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 10.5%)
Ranked #32 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 3.5%)
Ranked #5 of 19 Ames, IA ZIPs (top 26%)
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
21.5%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
0.00%
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
30.6%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
0.00%
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
6.4%
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
7.2%
in the bottom 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
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 ›Colon-cancer screening
75.1%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
12.7%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, Sheldahl, Iowa (ZIP 50243) comes out in the top 10.5% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,335th) and the top 3.5% of Iowa (32nd).
The profile opens balanced, with readings on either hand: modeled transportation noise is at the national minimum, floodplain exposure resides at the national minimum, and modeled housing insecurity rests in the bottom 4.0% nationally. Modeled food insecurity lies in the bottom 4.3% nationally, transportation sits in the bottom 5.1% nationally, and colon screening settles in the top 2.9% nationally. By contrast, modeled binge drinking registers in the top 2.4% nationally, and arsenic stands in the top 3.0% nationally. Modeled tree cover lands at the national minimum, and unemployment is in the top 5.6% nationally.
In plain terms, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 50244, 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 Ames, 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 76%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 79%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 91%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 73%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 85%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 17%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 90%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 91%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 73%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 95%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 97%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 91%
8%
Disability
healthier than 95%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 45%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 72%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 94%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 89%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 89%
8%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 22%
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
50156
Iowashares a border
Score 58.23
Closest healthier
50244
Iowashares a border
Score 62.71
Similar health profile
61854
Illinois99% similar profile
Score 58.58
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 | 27.0% | 24.8–29.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.6% | 31.1–36.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.8% | 9.1–10.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.6–10.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.5% | 4.7–6.4 |
| Depression among adults | 20.0% | 18.0–22.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.9% | 35.4–40.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.7% | 30.1–37.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.6–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.8% | 5.8–8.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.7% | 3.8–5.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.7% | 76.6–80.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.2% | 76.1–80.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.3% | 85.6–88.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 75.1% | 72.4–77.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 72.7% | 70.6–74.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.1% | 76.6–84.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 21.5% | 19.5–23.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.0% | 9.1–13.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.5% | 16.8–22.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 29.0% | 26.1–32.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.1% | 12.2–16.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.9–15.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.2% | 10.0–12.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.9% | 9.6–12.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 24.3% | 21.6–27.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.4% | 9.0–11.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.6% | 2.3–3.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.8–3.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.3% | 18.0–22.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 5.8–8.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.2–6.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.3–7.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.7% | 4.0–5.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.4% | 27.6–33.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.3% | 3.7–5.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 31.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 12.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 93.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 7.0% | 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 | 48.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 8.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 36.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $80,938 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $184,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 84.8 yr ± 1.87 | 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 1.87 years of 84.8, 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