ZIP code
50545
in Hardy, IowaPopulation 139
43.13/ 100
Ranked #24,252 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 24%)
Ranked #904 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 2.0%)
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.
Radon
3.6 pCi/L
in the top 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST60thUS96thDefinition & 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
5.9%
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.6%
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST71stUS96thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
8.3%
in the bottom 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
45.5%
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
98.7%
in the top 6.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
18.1%
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Median household income
$31,429
in the bottom 2.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
0.06%
in the bottom 13.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
22.3%
in the top 14.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
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 its overall health score, Hardy, Iowa (ZIP 50545) lands in the bottom 24% nationally (24,252nd) and the bottom 2.0% of Iowa (904th).
The measures that press hardest set the tone here: modeled radon lies in the top 4.1% nationally, and energy burden resides in the top 3.1% nationally. Modeled binge drinking lands in the top 4.2% nationally, and obesity registers in the top 3.7% nationally. Modeled arsenic sits in the top 7.5% nationally, and household income rests in the bottom 2.3% nationally. On the stronger side, modeled pfas is in the bottom 5.5% nationally, and home broadband subscription stands in the top 6.2% nationally. Unemployment settles at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Households without a vehicle lies at the national minimum, shared with about 16% of ZIPs.
To translate a couple of terms, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. 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. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 50542, 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
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 37%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 7%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 34%
8%
Disability
healthier than 38%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 24%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 20%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 1%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 2%
8%
Disability
healthier than 10%
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
50542
Iowashares a border
Score 50.64
Closest healthier
50548
Iowashares a border
Score 53.12
Similar health profile
15849
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 43.09
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 | 30.0% | 26.5–33.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.2% | 33.8–42.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.1% | 9.7–12.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.6% | 8.3–11.0 |
| Depression among adults | 22.7% | 19.1–26.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.6% | 11.8–15.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.6% | 32.1–40.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 45.5% | 36.5–53.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.5–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.8% | 12.8–19.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.4% | 5.8–9.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.9% | 74.7–80.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.8% | 72.9–80.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.9% | 80.6–85.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.0% | 55.9–66.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.3% | 59.5–67.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.5% | 68.8–83.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.6% | 17.0–24.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 21.2% | 17.8–24.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.5% | 23.7–33.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.3% | 29.6–43.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.8% | 18.7–25.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.9% | 16.6–21.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.6% | 13.6–17.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.3% | 14.2–18.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.1% | 27.4–36.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.2–10.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.6% | 13.4–18.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.2–5.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.7% | 19.9–27.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.9% | 13.0–19.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.9% | 12.9–19.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.8% | 9.7–14.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.5–10.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.1% | 26.1–36.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.8–10.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 22.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 0.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 5.0% | 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 | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 98.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 15.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.6% | 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 | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 56.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 12.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 56.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $31,429 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | — | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 81.6 yr ± 2.03 | 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 2.03 years of 81.6, 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