Skip to main content
ZipVitals

Menu

ZIP code

50562

in Mallard, IowaPopulation 377

ZipVitals Score
How is the ZipVitals Score calculated? →

51.62/ 100

Ranked #13,945 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 43%)

Ranked #524 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 43%)

Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.

Robust across all 9 health domains

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 1.9% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST78th
US98th
Definition & 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 ›

Arsenic in groundwater

26.1%

in the top 4.2% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST88th
US96th
Definition & 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 ›

Distance to a community health center

24.1 mi

in the top 6.1% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST83rd
US94th
Definition & 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 ›

Binge drinking

20.1%

in the top 5.8% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST60th
US94th
Definition & 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 ›

Distance to a Superfund site

69.5 mi

in the top 6.7% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST99th
US93rd
Definition & 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 ›

Unemployment rate

10.2%

in the top 9.1% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST96th
US91st
Definition & source ›

The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.

Full methodology ›

Air-toxics cancer risk

20 per million

in the bottom 25% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST1st
US25th
Definition & 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 ›

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.

  • USGS models a high likelihood that groundwater arsenic here exceeds 10 µg/L — the level EPA sets as the limit for public water systems — and this area's modeled radon runs above EPA's 4 pCi/L action level.

    See the full radon & arsenic analysis →

The read

In its overall standing, Mallard, Iowa (ZIP 50562) lands in the top 43% healthiest ZIPs nationally (13,945th) and the bottom 43% of Iowa (524th).

continue reading

Taken together, the data gives a genuinely mixed reading: distance to a Superfund site stands in the top 6.7% nationally, modeled pfas rests in the bottom 13.2% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity registers in the bottom 13.3% nationally. Crowded housing resides at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs. On the other side, modeled radon settles in the top 1.9% nationally, and arsenic is in the top 4.2% nationally. Distance to a community health center sits in the top 6.1% nationally, and modeled binge drinking lands in the top 5.8% nationally. Unemployment lies in the top 9.1% nationally, and modeled tree cover stands in the bottom 15% nationally.

Put simply, 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. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. On the overall standing, ZIP 50527, just across the boundary, ranks healthier.

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.

Compare within

Lifting this score

Preventive Care

healthier than 82%

13%

Mental Health

healthier than 82%

8%

Disability

healthier than 61%

7%

About typical

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 43%

21%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 48%

5%

Holding it back

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 35%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 21%

14%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 39%

11%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 6%

5%

Lifting this score

Preventive Care

healthier than 75%

13%

Mental Health

healthier than 82%

8%

About typical

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 41%

16%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 50%

11%

Disability

healthier than 52%

7%

Holding it back

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 35%

21%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 28%

14%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 34%

5%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 16%

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.

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
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Arthritis among adults30.5%27.1–33.9
High blood pressure among adults38.5%34.3–42.6
Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults10.6%9.6–11.7
Current asthma among adults9.8%8.6–10.9
Coronary heart disease among adults8.1%7.1–9.0
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults8.1%7.0–9.2
Depression among adults19.6%16.5–22.7
Diagnosed diabetes among adults12.6%10.8–14.4
High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened38.5%34.3–42.9
Obesity among adults40.1%32.2–47.9
Stroke among adults3.9%3.5–4.3
All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years13.6%11.0–16.4
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years6.2%5.1–7.7
Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure81.0%78.4–83.5
Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults78.9%75.5–82.1
Cholesterol screening among adults86.4%84.7–88.0
Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years71.3%66.3–75.7
Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults68.9%65.3–72.4
Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years78.1%70.2–84.5
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Binge drinking among adults20.1%16.8–23.6
Current cigarette smoking among adults15.3%12.9–17.9
No leisure-time physical activity among adults25.1%20.8–29.4
Short sleep duration among adults32.7%26.3–39.4
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults18.0%15.5–20.7
Frequent mental distress among adults15.3%13.4–17.2
Frequent physical distress among adults13.7%11.9–15.4
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Cognitive disability among adults13.0%11.3–14.8
Any disability among adults28.9%24.9–33.1
Hearing disability among adults8.9%7.8–9.9
Independent living disability among adults7.3%6.4–8.3
Mobility disability among adults14.3%12.2–16.3
Self-care disability among adults3.7%3.3–4.2
Vision disability among adults4.3%3.8–4.8
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Lack of social and emotional support among adults22.6%19.4–26.3
Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults9.8%8.2–11.8
Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults8.2%6.8–9.8
Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults7.7%6.6–9.2
Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults5.8%5.1–6.7
Loneliness among adults29.8%25.4–34.6
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults5.4%4.6–6.2
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)IA median (p10–p90)
Poverty rate13.3%10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,3648.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931
Uninsured 18–6411.1%9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,2865.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931
No HS diploma (25+)0.7%7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,5055.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932
Bachelor's or higher (25+)15.6%23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,50520.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932
Unemployment rate (16+)10.2%3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,2742.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932
Households without a vehicle1.6%3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,3222.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931
Broadband subscription93.4%89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,32288.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931
Housing cost burden (≥30% income)19.2%23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,32218.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931
Homeownership rate78.0%78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,32282.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931
Crowded housing (>1 per room)0.0%1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,3220.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931
Foreign-born population0.0%2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,5531.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932
Single-parent households79.2%53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,08756.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928
Population 65+37.7%19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,55320.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932
Median age58.4 yr42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,29242.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931
Median household income$72,500$72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318$73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911
Median home value$100,000$222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049$161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892
Median gross rent$1,125$1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670$825 ($614–$1,113) n=771
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)IA median (p10–p90)
Life expectancy at birth78.8 yr ± 1.1378.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,30880.0 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 1.13 years of 78.8, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.

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