ZIP code
51012
in Cherokee, IowaPopulation 6,311
45.29/ 100
Ranked #22,101 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 31%)
Ranked #872 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 5.5%)
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.
Radon
5.4 pCi/L
in the top 0.10% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
33%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Pharmacy access
0.61 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies 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 ›Child-care access
0.76 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
1.2%
in the top 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.1%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of days in the year when modeled fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution was above the EPA’s daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
0.76 per 1,000 residents
in the top 12.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Hearing disability
10.6%
in the top 12.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Obesity
42.4%
in the top 11.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
USGS models a high likelihood that groundwater arsenic here exceeds 10 µg/L — the level EPA sets as the limit for public water systems — and this area's modeled radon runs above EPA's 4 pCi/L action level.
See the full radon & arsenic analysis →
The read
By the composite measure, Cherokee, Iowa (ZIP 51012) sits in the bottom 31% nationally (22,101st) and the bottom 5.5% of Iowa (872nd).
What the numbers press hardest on defines much of the story here: modeled radon lies in the top 0.10% nationally, arsenic settles in the top 2.6% nationally, and nitrate stands in the top 6.3% nationally. Modeled fine-particle is in the top 8.6% nationally, and lithium in drinking water rests in the top 10.9% nationally. On the encouraging side, mental-health providers sits in the top 2.0% nationally, and pharmacy registers in the top 3.3% nationally. Childcare lands in the top 4.4% nationally. Distance to an emergency room resides at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Dental providers lies in the top 12.1% nationally.
In plain language, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. ZIP 51005, just across the boundary, ranks healthier 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 64%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 66%
8%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 17%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 30%
11%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 79%
16%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 2%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 30%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Disability
healthier than 3%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
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
51005
Iowashares a border
Score 56.93
Closest healthier
51014
Iowashares a border
Score 50.74
Similar health profile
17343
Pennsylvania91% similar profile
Score 46.21
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 | 32.9% | 29.3–36.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.1% | 37.7–46.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.8% | 9.8–11.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.6% | 9.3–12.0 |
| Depression among adults | 20.8% | 17.5–24.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.1% | 13.1–17.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.0% | 36.5–45.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.4% | 34.3–50.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 19.5% | 16.0–23.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.7% | 7.2–10.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.9% | 79.3–84.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.5% | 76.0–82.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.0% | 83.1–86.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.6% | 62.6–72.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.6% | 60.0–67.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.4% | 66.3–81.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.2% | 14.3–20.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.5% | 15.7–21.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 33.0% | 27.9–38.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.1% | 25.2–37.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 23.3% | 20.4–26.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.6% | 14.7–18.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.0–17.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.1% | 13.3–17.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.0% | 29.6–38.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.4–11.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.5% | 16.1–20.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.5–5.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.6% | 19.9–27.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.7% | 13.2–18.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.2% | 12.8–17.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.7% | 9.0–12.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.4% | 26.4–36.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 6.9–9.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 25.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 68.9% | 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 | 5.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 47.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 23.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 41.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $69,531 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $151,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $803 | $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 | 78.5 yr ± 0.74 | 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 0.74 years of 78.5, 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