ZIP code
50606
in Arlington, IowaPopulation 803
48.80/ 100
Ranked #17,924 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 44%)
Ranked #746 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 19%)
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.
Child-care access
1.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
6.0%
in the bottom 2.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
28 mi
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
5.4%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
0.16%
in the bottom 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST18thUS9thDefinition & 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
1.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 14.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS86thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
2.1%
in the bottom 27% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS27thDefinition & 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 ›High blood pressure
41%
in the top 28% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS72ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
8.5 days/year
in the top 39% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS61stDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Arlington, Iowa (ZIP 50606) lands in the bottom 44% nationally (17,924th) and the bottom 19% of Iowa (746th).
Where the load on this area runs deepest, the data leads: distance to a community health center lands in the top 4.7% nationally, and modeled energy burden sits in the top 5.5% nationally. Modeled radon is in the top 10.3% nationally, and binge drinking settles in the top 10.5% nationally. More encouragingly, childcare resides in the top 1.2% nationally, and modeled pfas registers in the bottom 2.1% nationally. Unemployment rests at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Modeled transportation noise stands in the bottom 9.5% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise lies at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Physicians lands in the top 14.3% nationally.
A note on the terms: 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. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 50607, just across the boundary, ranks better overall.
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
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 72%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 78%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 76%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 19%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
Disability
healthier than 40%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 4%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 94%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 96%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 12%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 23%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Disability
healthier than 12%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 11%
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
50607
Iowashares a border
Score 50.99
Closest healthier
50650
Iowashares a border
Score 49.79
Similar health profile
50476
Iowa97% similar profile
Score 48.79
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 | 32.4% | 28.8–36.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.0% | 36.6–45.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.6% | 9.6–11.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.7% | 7.8–9.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.5% | 8.1–10.9 |
| Depression among adults | 20.6% | 17.4–23.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.3% | 12.3–16.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.9% | 35.5–44.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.2% | 33.0–47.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–4.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.5% | 8.4–12.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.3–8.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.5% | 78.7–83.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.6% | 77.1–83.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.9% | 84.0–87.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.8% | 62.9–72.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.6% | 61.9–69.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.5% | 71.7–84.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.1% | 15.8–22.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.9% | 15.1–21.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.0% | 25.1–34.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.8% | 26.3–38.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.3% | 18.3–24.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.4–18.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.3% | 13.3–17.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.3% | 12.4–16.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.6% | 27.2–35.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.7% | 14.3–19.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.5% | 3.9–5.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.6–5.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.8% | 19.3–26.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.0% | 10.5–15.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.9% | 9.7–14.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 7.8–11.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.0–8.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.8% | 25.1–34.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.0–8.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 25.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.6% | 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 | 1.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 80.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 11.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 75.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 21.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 54.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $61,346 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $130,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $901 | $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 | 76.7 yr ± 0.56 | 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 0.56 years of 76.7, 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