ZIP code
50261
in Van Meter, IowaPopulation 3,399
63.20/ 100
Ranked #2,862 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 9.0%)
Ranked #25 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 2.8%)
Ranked #11 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (top 13.0%)
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.
Median household income
$155,278
in the top 3.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
22.1%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.6 pCi/L
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST57thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Food insecurity
7.4%
in the bottom 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
28.7%
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.8%
in the bottom 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
1.8%
in the bottom 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
6.9%
in the bottom 6.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
8.5%
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
5.4%
in the bottom 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS5thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Overall, Van Meter, Iowa (ZIP 50261) lands in the top 9.0% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,862nd) and the top 2.8% of Iowa (25th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: household income rests in the top 3.4% nationally, and modeled food insecurity stands in the bottom 5.0% nationally. Modeled short sleep lies in the bottom 4.9% nationally, and transportation lands in the bottom 5.9% nationally. Poverty sits in the bottom 6.4% nationally, modeled housing insecurity is in the bottom 6.7% nationally, and housing-cost burden settles in the bottom 7.8% nationally. Modeled independent living disability resides in the bottom 4.8% nationally. On the other side, modeled binge drinking registers in the top 1.8% nationally, and radon rests in the top 4.4% nationally.
A note on the terms: radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 50038, just across the boundary, ranks better 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. 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 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 90%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 84%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 70%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 84%
8%
Disability
healthier than 94%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 28%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 96%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 97%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 81%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 89%
8%
Disability
healthier than 97%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 23%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 73%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 77%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 86%
8%
Disability
healthier than 81%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 36%
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 30.6; chronic-disease standing 86.0 — 55 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #14,938 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
50003
Iowashares a border
Score 60.86
Closest healthier
50038
Iowashares a border
Score 64.77
Similar health profile
40245
Kentucky99% similar profile
Score 62.42
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 | 24.6% | 22.3–26.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.6% | 27.8–33.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.5% | 7.8–9.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.6% | 8.7–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.7 |
| Depression among adults | 19.9% | 17.5–22.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.5% | 31.5–37.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.2% | 29.4–38.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.5% | 2.3–2.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.2% | 7.8–10.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.7% | 3.8–5.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.3% | 73.8–78.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.9% | 74.1–79.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.1% | 85.6–88.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.9% | 66.7–73.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 74.3% | 72.0–76.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.4% | 76.9–85.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 22.1% | 19.4–24.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.8% | 9.9–13.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.9% | 16.2–21.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.7% | 25.0–32.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.1% | 11.4–14.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.7% | 13.2–16.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 22.6% | 19.9–25.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.2–6.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.8–6.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.4% | 2.2–2.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.0% | 18.3–23.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.1–9.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.6–7.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.9% | 5.7–8.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 4.1–5.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.6% | 25.2–32.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.6% | 3.9–5.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 1.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 42.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.9% | 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 | 93.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 8.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 85.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 53.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 11.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 40.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $155,278 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $374,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $1,069 | $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 | 82.6 yr ± 1.03 | 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 1.03 years of 82.6, 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