ZIP code
51037
in Meriden, IowaPopulation 327
51.25/ 100
Ranked #14,483 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 45%)
Ranked #547 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 41%)
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
5.3 pCi/L
in the top 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
28.1%
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 ›Binge drinking
20.7%
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS96thDefinition & 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
3.9%
in the top 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Slow internet speeds
2.5%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
22.3 mi
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.1%
in the top 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Fiber broadband
96.8%
in the top 8.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST75thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
8.1%
in the top 11.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Households without a vehicle
11.0%
in the top 12.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
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
Meriden, Iowa (ZIP 51037), on the composite measure, lands in the top 45% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,483rd) and the bottom 41% of Iowa (547th).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: unemployment lies at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Fiber broadband settles in the top 8.3% nationally. On the other hand, modeled radon stands in the top 0.2% nationally, and arsenic is in the top 3.6% nationally. Modeled binge drinking rests in the top 3.9% nationally, and nitrate sits in the top 4.6% nationally. Slow internet speeds registers in the top 4.7% nationally, and distance to a community health center lands in the top 7.0% nationally. Modeled fine-particle resides in the top 8.1% nationally, and transportation noise lies in the top 11.9% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday 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. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 51046, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 61%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 49%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 60%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 37%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 68%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 61%
16%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 47%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 3%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 22%
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
51012
Iowashares a border
Score 45.29
Closest healthier
51046
Iowashares a border
Score 51.46
Similar health profile
61348
Illinois95% similar profile
Score 50.94
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 | 26.9% | 23.5–30.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.1% | 31.0–39.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.1% | 8.2–10.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.1–7.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.2–8.5 |
| Depression among adults | 21.4% | 18.1–25.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.0% | 9.4–12.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.1% | 32.7–41.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.6% | 31.9–48.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.0% | 11.4–17.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.3–8.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.0% | 75.1–80.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.1% | 73.3–80.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.2% | 82.1–86.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.6% | 64.6–74.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.9% | 63.3–70.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.3% | 69.8–84.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.7% | 17.2–24.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.9% | 13.1–18.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.8% | 21.3–30.9 |
| 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 | 17.4% | 14.7–20.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.9% | 14.8–19.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.9% | 11.2–14.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 11.9–15.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.5% | 23.4–31.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.8% | 6.8–8.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.5–8.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.5% | 10.5–14.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.3% | 2.9–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.5–4.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.5% | 19.8–27.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.1% | 9.0–13.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 7.6–11.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.2–10.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.5–7.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.1% | 26.8–37.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 5.1–7.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 20.1% | 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 | 11.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 14.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.7% | 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 | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 74.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 21.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 46.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $58,958 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $235,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $773 | $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 | 81.3 yr ± 1.35 | 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 1.35 years of 81.3, 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