ZIP code
50277
in Yale, IowaPopulation 582
54.16/ 100
Ranked #10,488 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 33%)
Ranked #321 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 35%)
Ranked #61 of 85 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ZIPs (bottom 28%)
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.
Lead in tap water
13 ppb
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
US99thDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.6 pCi/L
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST59thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
28.7 mi
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
0.15%
in the bottom 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST18thUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Fiber broadband
95.7%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST71stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Mammography
80.3%
in the top 9.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
29%
in the bottom 14.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
5.5%
in the bottom 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
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 ›The read
Overall, Yale, Iowa (ZIP 50277) places in the top 33% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,488th) and the top 35% of Iowa (321st).
The measures land in both directions, and neither dominates: unemployment lands at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Modeled transportation noise stands in the bottom 9.3% nationally, and fiber broadband registers in the top 9.8% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise settles at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Modeled housing insecurity sits in the bottom 11.4% nationally, mammography lies in the top 9.6% nationally, and transportation rests in the bottom 12.4% nationally. Pulling the other way, lead in tap water resides in the top 1.1% nationally, modeled radon is in the top 4.2% nationally, and distance to a community health center lands in the top 4.4% nationally.
For readers new to these terms, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 50216, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 57%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 39%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 40%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 4%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 92%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 83%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 85%
8%
Disability
healthier than 66%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 60%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 11%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 89%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 92%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 81%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 73%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Disability
healthier than 24%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 6%
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
50026
Iowashares a border
Score 53.76
Closest healthier
50216
Iowashares a border
Score 55.11
Similar health profile
52223
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 54.15
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 | 31.2% | 27.9–34.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.1% | 34.0–42.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.2% | 10.1–12.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.6–9.0 |
| Depression among adults | 19.8% | 16.9–23.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.3% | 10.7–14.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.4% | 35.2–43.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.4% | 30.1–45.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.3% | 10.1–14.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.5% | 4.5–6.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.5% | 78.9–84.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.3% | 75.8–82.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.2% | 86.6–89.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.2% | 64.9–73.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 71.9% | 68.8–74.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.3% | 74.1–85.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.4% | 15.3–21.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.4% | 12.0–17.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.5% | 21.0–30.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.4% | 25.8–37.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.2% | 14.7–20.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.0% | 13.1–16.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.4% | 11.6–15.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.1% | 10.5–13.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.4% | 24.4–32.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–8.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.9% | 11.9–16.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.0–4.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.0% | 18.0–24.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 7.7–11.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 6.5–9.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.3–9.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.7–6.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.0% | 24.7–33.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.6–6.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.9% | 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 | 25.2% | 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 | 36.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $90,625 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $89,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $775 | $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 | 78.9 yr ± 0.88 | 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 0.88 years of 78.9, 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