ZIP code
51036
in Maurice, IowaPopulation 445
59.33/ 100
Ranked #5,332 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #76 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 8.3%)
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 ›Fiber broadband
100%
at the national maximum
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full 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 ›Short sleep
27%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
28.3%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.80%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Housing-cost burden
7.7%
in the bottom 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Walkability
2 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 7.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST2ndUS7thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.1%
in the top 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
19.5%
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST44thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›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, Maurice, Iowa (ZIP 51036) sits in the top 17% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,332nd) and the top 8.3% of Iowa (76th).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: fiber broadband lands at the national maximum, modeled short sleep resides in the bottom 1.5% nationally, and housing-cost burden lies in the bottom 6.9% nationally. Unemployment settles at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Households without a vehicle stands at the national minimum, shared with about 16% of ZIPs. On the other hand, modeled radon is in the top 0.10% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site rests at the national minimum. Modeled arsenic sits in the top 3.6% nationally, and nitrate registers in the top 6.8% nationally. Walkability lands in the bottom 7.1% nationally.
In plain language, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. ZIP 51041, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 82%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 74%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 49%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 84%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 92%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 84%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 97%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 87%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
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
51027
Iowashares a border
Score 55.57
Closest healthier
51041
Iowashares a border
Score 60.30
Similar health profile
53072
Wisconsin99% similar profile
Score 63.31
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 | 26.5% | 23.4–29.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.2% | 32.2–40.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.9% | 8.9–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.6% | 8.5–10.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.6–7.8 |
| Depression among adults | 19.9% | 17.0–23.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.8% | 9.3–12.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.3% | 34.2–42.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.9% | 27.7–40.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.8–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.2% | 5.7–8.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.6% | 5.4–8.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.0% | 76.1–81.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.9% | 75.6–82.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.9% | 85.0–88.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.8% | 68.4–76.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.3% | 65.0–71.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.5% | 74.1–85.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.5% | 16.4–23.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.6% | 11.1–16.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.9% | 19.0–27.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 27.0% | 22.4–31.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.4% | 13.0–18.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.8% | 13.0–16.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.2% | 10.6–14.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.4–13.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.4% | 21.7–29.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.5–8.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.5–7.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.0–13.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.6–3.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.1–4.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.8% | 19.4–26.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.5–11.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.9% | 5.5–8.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.3–9.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.5–6.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.6% | 27.0–36.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 4.1–5.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 0.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 25.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 7.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 91.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 79.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 35.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 61.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $122,841 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $248,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $381 | $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 | 83.7 yr ± 1.27 | 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 1.27 years of 83.7, 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