ZIP code
50268
in What Cheer, IowaPopulation 908
44.23/ 100
Ranked #23,194 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 28%)
Ranked #893 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 3.2%)
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
3.6 pCi/L
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST58thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
6.1%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
0.11%
in the bottom 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
42.4%
in the top 11.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
18.1%
in the top 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS75thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›The read
What Cheer, Iowa (ZIP 50268), on the composite measure, lands in the bottom 28% nationally (23,194th) and the bottom 3.2% of Iowa (893rd).
The main burdens in the data show plainly and lead the picture: modeled radon registers in the top 4.3% nationally, energy burden lands in the top 2.7% nationally, and arsenic resides in the top 11.8% nationally. Modeled binge drinking lies in the top 11.2% nationally, and obesity settles in the top 11.3% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility stands at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. Recreation is at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs. More positively, modeled transportation noise rests in the bottom 8.6% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise sits at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Modeled pfas registers in the bottom 16% nationally.
In everyday language, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 50027, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 32%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 7%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 37%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 35%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 67%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 71%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 14%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 1%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 6%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Disability
healthier than 10%
7%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
50027
Iowashares a border
Score 50.32
Closest healthier
50104
Iowashares a border
Score 44.82
Similar health profile
15475
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 41.61
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 | 31.0% | 27.6–34.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.1% | 35.9–44.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.6% | 8.7–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.5% | 8.3–10.9 |
| Depression among adults | 21.6% | 18.4–24.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.9% | 12.0–15.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.6% | 33.4–41.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.4% | 34.7–50.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.2% | 3.8–4.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 18.1% | 14.8–21.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.6% | 6.3–9.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.7% | 76.9–82.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.4% | 73.8–80.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.5% | 81.5–85.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.8% | 58.7–68.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.1% | 55.4–62.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.8% | 66.2–80.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.0% | 15.9–22.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.6% | 16.6–22.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.2% | 25.5–35.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.4% | 28.0–41.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.7% | 18.7–24.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.6% | 15.6–19.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.2% | 13.4–17.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.5% | 13.6–17.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.9% | 28.5–37.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.0–10.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.2% | 14.0–18.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–5.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.4% | 21.3–28.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.3% | 12.1–17.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.3% | 11.3–15.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.7–12.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.9% | 28.8–38.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.4–8.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 14.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 16.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 76.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 59.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 18.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 43.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $59,118 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $77,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $740 | $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 | 80.2 yr ± 1.46 | 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 1.46 years of 80.2, 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