ZIP code
50548
in Humboldt, IowaPopulation 5,722
53.12/ 100
Ranked #11,914 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 37%)
Ranked #403 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 44%)
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
4.1 pCi/L
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS98thDefinition & 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
0.34 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
0.68 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
52.3 mi
in the top 11.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 12.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Lithium in drinking water
11 µg/L
in the bottom 13.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
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 ›Slow internet speeds
0.58%
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS81stDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
3.3%
in the top 23% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS77thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
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
In overall standing, Humboldt, Iowa (ZIP 50548) comes out in the top 37% healthiest ZIPs nationally (11,914th) and the top 44% of Iowa (403rd).
Both sides of the picture show up plainly in this area's numbers: elder services resides in the top 3.9% nationally. Distance to an emergency room rests at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Childcare lies in the top 5.6% nationally, and pharmacy sits in the top 11.2% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site settles in the top 11.4% nationally, and civic registers in the top 12.4% nationally. Distance to a nursing home stands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. By contrast, modeled radon lands in the top 1.6% nationally, and disaster risk is in the top 12.5% nationally. Modeled binge drinking resides in the top 11.2% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 50524, 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 69%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 78%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 76%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 83%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 78%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 48%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 32%
21%
Disability
healthier than 28%
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
50501
Iowashares a border
Score 49.94
Closest healthier
50524
Iowashares a border
Score 58.66
Similar health profile
52224
Iowa97% similar profile
Score 52.62
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 | 31.1% | 27.6–34.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.4% | 34.1–42.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.6% | 9.6–11.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.4% | 7.3–9.6 |
| Depression among adults | 20.0% | 16.8–23.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.7% | 10.9–14.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.6% | 33.1–41.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.3% | 31.8–48.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.7% | 9.5–14.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.3% | 6.1–8.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.6% | 77.9–83.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.8% | 75.2–82.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.6% | 83.8–87.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.0% | 65.2–74.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.2% | 62.7–69.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.0% | 73.3–86.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.0% | 15.7–22.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.7% | 13.3–18.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.8% | 22.1–31.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.9% | 26.8–39.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.1% | 16.4–22.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.0% | 14.0–18.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.2–15.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 12.0–15.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.2% | 26.8–35.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.2–10.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.2–9.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.3% | 13.1–17.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.3% | 19.0–26.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.8% | 9.9–14.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 8.7–12.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.5–10.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.4% | 25.6–35.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.4–7.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 25.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 72.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 51.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 23.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 40.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $76,214 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $188,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $741 | $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 | 80.5 yr ± 1.31 | 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 1.31 years of 80.5, 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