ZIP code
50616
in Charles City, IowaPopulation 9,358
50.95/ 100
Ranked #14,925 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 47%)
Ranked #575 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 38%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.1 pCi/L
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST34thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Lead in tap water
6.2 ppb
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
US93rdDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›Civic-institution access
0.7 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 10.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics 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 ›Outpatient-care access
0.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 11.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS88thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient clinics 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS81stDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Binge drinking
17.7%
in the top 22% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS78thDefinition & 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 ›Dry extreme heat
9.3 days/year
in the top 37% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS63rdDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, Charles City, Iowa (ZIP 50616) ranks in the top 47% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,925th) and the bottom 38% of Iowa (575th).
Neither strongly one way nor the other, the measures sit mixed: distance to an emergency room resides at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Civic lands in the top 7.7% nationally, and mental-health providers registers in the top 10.8% nationally. Outpatient sits in the top 11.7% nationally. Distance to a nursing home rests at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Elder services is in the top 15% nationally. Against that, distance to a Superfund site stands at the national minimum, modeled radon settles in the top 8.6% nationally, and lead in tap water lies in the top 7.4% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility resides at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs.
In plainer terms, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 50468, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 64%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 42%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Disability
healthier than 47%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 29%
5%
Lifting this score
Risk Behavior
healthier than 63%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 64%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 51%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 58%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 27%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 39%
8%
Disability
healthier than 20%
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
50435
Iowashares a border
Score 47.03
Closest healthier
50468
Iowashares a border
Score 51.72
Similar health profile
13113
New York97% similar profile
Score 51.82
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% | 27.7–34.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.6% | 34.6–42.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.2% | 9.2–11.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 9.1–11.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.7–9.8 |
| Depression among adults | 20.4% | 17.4–23.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.3% | 11.6–15.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.2% | 33.9–42.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.1% | 32.8–47.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.8–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.6% | 10.3–15.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.6% | 6.4–8.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.8% | 78.1–83.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.5% | 75.0–81.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.3–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.9% | 61.0–70.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.7% | 61.2–68.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.0% | 70.7–84.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.7% | 14.7–21.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.7% | 14.5–19.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.5% | 24.3–33.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.4% | 25.5–37.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.1% | 17.6–23.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.6–18.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.3% | 12.7–16.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.7–16.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.8% | 27.9–36.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.7% | 13.7–18.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.5% | 20.0–27.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 10.8–15.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.4% | 9.6–13.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 8.2–11.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–8.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.7% | 27.9–38.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.9–7.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.9% | 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 | 72.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 56.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 23.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 44.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $64,830 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $140,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $734 | $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 | 79.6 yr ± 0.93 | 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 0.93 years of 79.6, 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