ZIP code
50628
in Elma, IowaPopulation 1,423
44.99/ 100
Ranked #22,416 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 30%)
Ranked #879 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 4.7%)
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.
PFAS in drinking water
5.9%
in the bottom 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
6.1%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
29.6 mi
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
0.77 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Hearing disability
11.6%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.1 pCi/L
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST34thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Coronary heart disease
10.4%
in the top 7.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
73.8%
in the bottom 8.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
0.18%
in the bottom 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST20thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›Stroke
5.1%
in the top 12.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, Elma, Iowa (ZIP 50628) ranks in the bottom 30% nationally (22,416th) and the bottom 4.7% of Iowa (879th).
The measures that press hardest set the tone here: modeled energy burden lands in the top 2.7% nationally, and distance to a community health center registers in the top 4.2% nationally. Modeled hearing disability sits in the top 6.0% nationally, and radon rests in the top 8.5% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease is in the top 7.1% nationally, and home broadband subscription stands in the bottom 8.7% nationally. On the stronger side, modeled pfas settles in the bottom 1.9% nationally, childcare lies in the top 4.2% nationally, and modeled transportation noise resides in the bottom 10.0% nationally. Distance to a nursing home lands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs.
In plainer 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. Energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 50460, 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 73%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 75%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 53%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 17%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Disability
healthier than 23%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 5%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 77%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 2%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 37%
11%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 12%
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
50460
Iowashares a border
Score 48.07
Closest healthier
50461
Iowashares a border
Score 53.00
Similar health profile
60959
Illinois94% similar profile
Score 44.82
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 | 34.7% | 31.1–38.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.8% | 38.5–47.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.8% | 10.6–12.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 9.0–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 10.4% | 9.3–11.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.8% | 9.4–12.3 |
| Depression among adults | 20.0% | 17.1–23.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.1% | 13.2–17.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.5% | 36.1–44.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.2% | 31.6–47.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.6% | 12.1–17.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.2% | 6.5–9.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 82.6% | 80.1–84.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.5% | 76.0–82.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.4% | 83.4–87.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.8% | 64.7–74.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.2% | 61.8–68.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.0% | 69.9–83.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.1% | 14.3–20.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.3% | 15.6–21.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.7% | 26.0–35.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.2% | 26.1–38.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 23.5% | 20.4–26.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.1% | 14.3–18.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.2% | 14.2–18.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.1% | 13.3–17.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.9% | 31.5–40.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.3–13.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.8% | 8.5–11.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.1% | 16.6–21.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.2–6.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.5% | 20.1–27.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 11.1–16.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.6% | 10.4–15.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 7.9–11.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.3–8.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.1% | 26.3–36.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.8–7.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 23.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 13.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 73.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 42.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 21.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 39.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $68,750 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $153,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $672 | $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 | 77.9 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 77.9, 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