ZIP code
50677
in Waverly, IowaPopulation 12,673
58.63/ 100
Ranked #5,876 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 18%)
Ranked #94 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 10.2%)
Ranked #5 of 25 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA ZIPs (top 20%)
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.
Binge drinking
21%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
1.1%
in the top 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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 ›Dental provider access
1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental 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 ›Lead in tap water
6.2 ppb
in the top 7.3% 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 ›Mammography
81.2%
in the top 6.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
95.5%
in the top 10.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST71stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
68.8%
in the top 13.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 14.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 15.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS85thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
33.3%
in the bottom 10.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, Waverly, Iowa (ZIP 50677) ranks in the top 18% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,876th) and the top 10.2% of Iowa (94th).
The profile opens on a set of genuinely favorable readings: distance to an emergency room registers at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Dental providers sits in the top 6.5% nationally, and modeled mammography rests in the top 6.1% nationally. Fiber broadband is in the top 10.0% nationally, and pharmacy stands in the top 12.9% nationally. Distance to a nursing home settles at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Mental-health providers lies in the top 13.6% nationally. On the other side, modeled binge drinking resides in the top 3.3% nationally, modeled nitrate lands in the top 6.4% nationally, and lead in tap water registers in the top 7.3% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. 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 50622, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 76%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 71%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 77%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 75%
8%
Disability
healthier than 76%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 54%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 89%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 79%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 93%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 58%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 53%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 59%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 92%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 96%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 75%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 33%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
“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 ›
Findings that name this ZIP
2 of our published findings list this ZIP code. Each finding compares one published measure against a stated benchmark, and names only the ZIP codes whose estimates are reliable enough to rank. See all surprising findings.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 83.0 ± 2.0 years. A median household income of $85,633 predicts 79.5 years — 3.6 years above.
Ranked #266 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 83.0 ± 2.0 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.1 years — 2.9 years above them.
Ranked #875 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
50622
Iowashares a border
Score 63.54
Closest healthier
50647
Iowashares a border
Score 62.00
Similar health profile
52039
Iowa99% similar profile
Score 57.87
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 | 26.0% | 23.3–29.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.9% | 29.3–36.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.2% | 8.4–10.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.8–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.7–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.6–7.3 |
| Depression among adults | 20.1% | 17.1–23.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.8% | 8.5–11.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.3% | 29.5–37.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.5% | 30.7–44.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.6% | 6.9–10.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.0% | 4.8–7.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.8% | 75.2–80.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.6% | 74.0–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.8% | 81.7–85.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.2% | 66.6–75.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.8% | 66.6–73.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.2% | 74.8–86.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 21.0% | 17.7–24.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.0% | 11.0–15.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.8% | 18.9–27.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.5% | 27.3–38.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.1% | 13.8–18.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.1% | 14.1–18.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.8% | 10.4–13.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.2% | 11.3–15.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.5% | 22.7–30.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.7–8.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.2–8.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.0–13.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.7% | 18.4–25.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.2–12.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 6.7–10.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.9% | 6.5–9.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.7% | 26.1–35.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.6–6.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 41.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 71.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 53.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 18.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 35.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $85,633 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $232,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $999 | $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 | 83.0 yr ± 1.01 | 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 1.01 years of 83.0, 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