ZIP code
50634
in Gilbertville, IowaPopulation 761
55.65/ 100
Ranked #8,687 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 27%)
Ranked #215 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 23%)
Ranked #14 of 25 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA ZIPs (bottom 44%)
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.
Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the bottom 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS3rdDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.8%
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the bottom 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS6thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
63.6%
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
130 intersections/sq mi
in the top 6.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
74%
in the top 4.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
7.2%
in the bottom 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
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 ›The read
Gilbertville, Iowa (ZIP 50634), on the composite measure, lands in the top 27% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,687th) and the top 23% of Iowa (215th).
What works most in this area's favor shows up clearly across the measures: modeled expected annual loss resides in the bottom 3.2% nationally, modeled disaster risk lies in the bottom 6.5% nationally, and walkability settles in the top 6.9% nationally. Modeled colon screening stands in the top 4.8% nationally, modeled housing insecurity is in the bottom 8.8% nationally, and poverty rests in the bottom 10.3% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise sits at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Working the other way, modeled binge drinking registers in the top 3.7% nationally, and pfas lands in the top 6.6% nationally. Fiber broadband resides at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. 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. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 50648, 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. Compare it against the US, this state and the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 69%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 63%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 87%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 53%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 24%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 83%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 88%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 87%
13%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 49%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 71%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 88%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 75%
13%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 42%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 25%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 29%
8%
Disability
healthier than 38%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 33%
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
50648
Iowashares a border
Score 56.33
Closest healthier
50626
Iowaabout 6.1 mi away
Score 56.54
Similar health profile
52726
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 55.87
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 | 30.5% | 27.9–33.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.8% | 32.8–38.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.9% | 8.8–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.0% | 6.1–7.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.1–8.6 |
| Depression among adults | 21.0% | 18.5–23.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.6% | 10.1–13.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.9% | 36.8–43.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.7% | 35.4–44.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.1% | 9.0–13.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.2% | 4.7–8.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.4% | 76.9–81.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.1% | 77.4–82.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.7% | 84.6–88.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 74.0% | 70.7–77.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.7% | 67.1–72.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.2% | 73.0–82.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.8% | 18.2–23.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.7% | 12.8–18.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.7% | 19.2–26.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.4% | 30.3–36.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.5% | 14.9–20.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.6–17.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.6% | 11.0–14.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.1–14.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.5% | 25.1–32.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.8% | 6.9–8.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.1–8.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.2% | 11.1–15.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.7–3.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.3–4.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.4% | 19.1–25.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 7.3–11.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 6.3–10.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 5.7–8.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 4.8–6.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.3% | 26.5–34.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.2–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 28.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 86.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 55.4% | 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 | 40.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $79,583 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $197,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $643 | $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 | 82.1 yr ± 1.58 | 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 1.58 years of 82.1, 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