ZIP code
50525
in Clarion, IowaPopulation 3,179
54.06/ 100
Ranked #10,618 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 33%)
Ranked #330 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 36%)
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
3.9 pCi/L
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Civic-institution access
1.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Pharmacy access
0.57 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies 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 ›Grocery access
0.29 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Recreation access
1.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
0.57 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Lead in tap water
5.3 ppb
in the top 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
US91stDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
10.2%
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST27thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 10.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS90thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
19.2%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST36thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Clarion, Iowa (ZIP 50525), in overall standing, comes out in the top 33% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,618th) and the top 36% of Iowa (330th).
A balanced showing across the data, with a few readings each side: civic stands in the top 2.1% nationally, pharmacy resides in the top 3.9% nationally, and grocery sits in the top 3.9% nationally. Distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Recreation resides in the top 6.7% nationally, and childcare sits in the top 8.0% nationally. Modeled pfas stands in the bottom 9.7% nationally. On the other hand, modeled radon resides in the top 2.2% nationally, and lead in tap water sits in the top 9.1% nationally. Modeled disaster risk stands in the top 10.2% nationally.
Defined simply, for reference, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. 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. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 50034, 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.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 66%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 63%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 46%
11%
Disability
healthier than 53%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 34%
14%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 87%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 51%
14%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
“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
50034
Iowashares a border
Score 54.39
Closest healthier
50101
Iowashares a border
Score 54.22
Similar health profile
58545
North Dakota99% similar profile
Score 55.18
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 | 29.5% | 26.3–33.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.8% | 32.7–41.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.0% | 9.0–11.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.7–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.9% | 6.9–8.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.9% | 6.7–9.3 |
| Depression among adults | 19.4% | 16.4–22.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.9% | 11.2–15.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.9% | 33.6–42.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.8% | 32.4–47.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.3% | 9.9–15.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.6% | 7.6–11.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.5% | 77.9–83.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.8% | 75.4–82.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.8% | 83.8–87.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.8% | 60.7–70.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.3% | 61.8–68.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.5% | 71.2–84.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.2% | 16.1–22.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.9% | 12.4–17.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.9% | 22.4–31.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.5% | 25.5–38.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.7% | 16.8–23.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.2% | 13.4–17.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.8% | 12.0–15.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.6% | 11.7–15.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.5% | 26.2–35.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.8–10.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.9% | 6.8–9.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.9% | 12.6–17.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.7% | 19.1–26.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 10.6–15.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 8.5–12.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.9% | 8.1–11.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 5.9–8.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.7% | 25.6–35.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.5–7.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 26.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 71.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 56.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 22.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 47.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $67,250 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $128,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $762 | $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 | 78.1 yr ± 1.14 | 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 1.14 years of 78.1, 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