ZIP code
51050
in Remsen, IowaPopulation 2,962
53.94/ 100
Ranked #10,780 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 34%)
Ranked #342 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 37%)
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
6.3 pCi/L
in the top 0.01% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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
99.9%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Nitrate in drinking water
14.5%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.2%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST62ndUS95thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Pharmacy access
0.38 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
2.4 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 9.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Physician access
1.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 11.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ 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 ›Tree cover
0.06%
in the bottom 13.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
5.7 mi
in the bottom 24% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS24thDefinition & 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 ›The read
By the composite health measure, Remsen, Iowa (ZIP 51050) ranks in the top 34% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,780th) and the top 37% of Iowa (342nd).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: fiber broadband lands in the top 2.0% nationally, and pharmacy sits in the top 9.0% nationally. Modeled short sleep is in the bottom 10.1% nationally, and physicians settles in the top 11.3% nationally. Poverty resides in the bottom 12.0% nationally. Set against that, modeled radon registers in the top 0.01% nationally, nitrate rests in the top 2.6% nationally, and binge drinking stands in the top 5.5% nationally. Modeled fine-particle lies in the top 8.6% nationally, and walkability lands in the bottom 9.9% nationally.
To spell things out, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Close by, ZIP 51003, 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 71%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Disability
healthier than 64%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 54%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 46%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 22%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 85%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 57%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 55%
13%
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
“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
51003
Iowashares a border
Score 60.21
Closest healthier
51022
Iowashares a border
Score 56.66
Similar health profile
51366
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 55.63
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 | 29.7% | 26.4–33.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.7% | 32.5–41.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 8.6–11.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.6–8.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.5–8.9 |
| Depression among adults | 19.0% | 16.0–22.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.6% | 9.9–13.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.9% | 32.6–41.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.8% | 31.5–46.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.8% | 9.4–14.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.0% | 5.5–8.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.3% | 77.6–82.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.2% | 74.9–81.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.7% | 83.7–87.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.4% | 62.1–72.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.8% | 66.3–73.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.1% | 72.7–86.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.2% | 17.0–23.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.2% | 12.6–17.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.0% | 21.5–30.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.1% | 24.2–36.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.7% | 14.9–20.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.6% | 13.6–17.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.2% | 11.4–15.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.2% | 11.4–15.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.2% | 24.9–33.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–9.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.5–8.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.8% | 11.6–16.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.4% | 2.9–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.7–4.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.6% | 20.0–27.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.2% | 8.2–12.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 6.5–10.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.9% | 6.6–9.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.0–6.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.7% | 26.8–36.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.5–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 15.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 15.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 85.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 56.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 23.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 42.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $92,500 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $219,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $938 | $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 | 79.6 yr ± 0.99 | 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 0.99 years of 79.6, 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