ZIP code
50603
in Alta Vista, IowaPopulation 555
49.28/ 100
Ranked #17,265 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 46%)
Ranked #720 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 22%)
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 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST58thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.7%
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS96thDefinition & 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 community health center
26.3 mi
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
0.04%
in the bottom 6.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Physician access
1.8 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices 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 ›Energy-cost burden
5.0%
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST79thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Home broadband subscription
77.5%
in the bottom 12.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
27.1 days/year
in the bottom 24% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS24thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
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 ›Dry extreme heat
8.3 days/year
in the top 39% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS61stDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›The read
Alta Vista, Iowa (ZIP 50603) ranks in the bottom 46% nationally (17,265th) and the bottom 22% of Iowa (720th).
A number of readings press hard on the profile and set its tone: modeled radon lies in the top 4.3% nationally, and binge drinking is in the top 3.9% nationally. Distance to a community health center registers in the top 5.2% nationally, and modeled energy burden lies in the top 9.4% nationally. Home broadband subscription is in the bottom 12.9% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility registers at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. On the brighter side, modeled transportation noise lies in the bottom 6.7% nationally, and physicians is in the top 8.5% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise registers at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Crowded housing lies at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs.
For context, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 50616, 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
Mental Health
healthier than 75%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Disability
healthier than 51%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 6%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 68%
14%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 16%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Disability
healthier than 31%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 28%
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.
Nearby
50616
Iowashares a border
Score 50.95
Closest healthier
50645
Iowashares a border
Score 50.56
Similar health profile
52254
Iowa96% similar profile
Score 49.89
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 | 29.9% | 26.6–33.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.1% | 34.1–42.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.9% | 9.0–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.0–8.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.1% | 7.0–9.4 |
| Depression among adults | 19.6% | 16.8–22.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.5% | 10.9–14.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.2% | 32.1–40.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.7% | 32.5–46.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.2% | 10.8–15.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.1% | 5.8–8.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.3% | 76.7–81.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.0% | 73.5–80.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.6% | 82.7–86.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.1% | 62.5–71.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.3% | 62.9–69.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.5% | 66.9–81.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.7% | 17.5–24.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.5% | 14.0–19.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.6% | 23.1–32.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.4% | 26.8–38.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.7% | 17.1–22.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.5–18.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.1% | 12.4–16.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.4–16.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.5% | 26.4–35.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.1% | 8.0–10.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.7% | 12.7–17.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.2–5.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.4% | 20.8–28.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.8% | 9.6–14.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.1–12.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.5–10.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.4% | 26.7–36.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.3–7.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 6.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 77.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 86.6% | 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 | 5.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 50.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 20.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 41.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $74,271 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $122,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $640 | $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 | 80.7 yr ± 1.48 | 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 1.48 years of 80.7, 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