ZIP code
50514
in Armstrong, IowaPopulation 1,117
50.76/ 100
Ranked #15,191 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 47%)
Ranked #595 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 35%)
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 pCi/L
in the top 2.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Elder-services access
0.75 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
34.1%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Recreation access
1.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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 ›Outpatient-care access
0.75 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient clinics 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 ›Distance to a community health center
31 mi
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
0.75 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
9.8%
in the bottom 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS8thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Fatal road crashes
35.8 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
7.3%
in the bottom 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both modeled radon and modeled groundwater arsenic.
See the full radon & arsenic analysis →
The read
By the composite measure, Armstrong, Iowa (ZIP 50514) sits in the top 47% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,191st) and the bottom 35% of Iowa (595th).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: elder services resides in the top 1.3% nationally, recreation lies in the top 3.5% nationally, and outpatient settles in the top 3.5% nationally. Childcare stands in the top 4.6% nationally, modeled pfas is in the bottom 8.5% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity rests in the bottom 9.5% nationally. On the other hand, modeled radon sits in the top 2.1% nationally, and arsenic registers in the top 2.4% nationally. Distance to a community health center lands in the top 3.8% nationally, and fatal road crashes resides in the top 9.1% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, elder services runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain 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. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. ZIP 50531, just across the boundary, ranks healthier 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 88%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 86%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 42%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Disability
healthier than 48%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 27%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 4%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 74%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 92%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 94%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 52%
16%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 8%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Disability
healthier than 24%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 10%
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
50517
Iowashares a border
Score 46.20
Closest healthier
50531
Iowashares a border
Score 53.83
Similar health profile
51449
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 51.69
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 | 34.1% | 30.6–37.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.3% | 38.1–46.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 12.3% | 11.2–13.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 8.7–11.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.9% | 7.7–10.2 |
| Depression among adults | 19.0% | 16.2–22.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.7% | 11.8–15.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.5% | 36.3–45.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.1% | 33.7–49.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–5.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.0% | 8.9–13.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.0% | 4.9–7.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 83.2% | 80.7–85.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.2% | 78.4–84.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.7% | 86.2–89.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.4% | 65.9–74.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.1% | 62.8–69.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.6% | 72.0–83.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.5% | 14.9–20.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.0% | 12.7–17.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.2% | 22.7–31.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.7% | 27.1–38.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.1% | 16.3–22.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.9% | 13.2–16.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.6–16.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.2–14.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.6% | 27.5–36.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.0–9.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.3% | 13.9–18.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.6% | 18.6–25.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.9% | 8.2–11.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.0–10.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.2–8.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 5.0–6.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.0% | 25.7–34.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.5–6.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 21.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 14.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 81.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 59.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 31.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 55.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $73,000 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $137,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $612 | $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 | 79.3 yr ± 1.06 | 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 1.06 years of 79.3, 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