ZIP code
51053
in Schaller, IowaPopulation 1,016
50.24/ 100
Ranked #15,905 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 50%)
Ranked #640 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 31%)
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 0.09% 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 ›Grocery access
0.94 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
31.5%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS97thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
7.7%
in the bottom 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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
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 ›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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
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
Schaller, Iowa (ZIP 51053), in overall standing, comes out in the top 50% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,905th) and the bottom 31% of Iowa (640th).
An even profile, with readings pulling both ways: grocery settles in the top 0.4% nationally, modeled pfas lands in the bottom 4.5% nationally, and fiber broadband rests in the top 11.6% nationally. Modeled transportation noise settles in the bottom 12.8% nationally. Against that, modeled radon lands in the top 0.09% nationally, and arsenic rests in the top 2.9% nationally. Modeled binge drinking settles in the top 8.3% nationally, and walkability lands in the bottom 12.1% nationally. Modeled obesity rests in the top 11.3% nationally, and fine-particle settles in the top 14.4% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, grocery runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, 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. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 51002, 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
Mental Health
healthier than 73%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 61%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 47%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 58%
13%
Disability
healthier than 49%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 69%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 65%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 47%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Disability
healthier than 26%
7%
“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
50535
Iowashares a border
Score 49.81
Closest healthier
51002
Iowashares a border
Score 55.12
Similar health profile
18840
Pennsylvania99% similar profile
Score 48.55
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% | 26.5–33.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.7% | 32.6–41.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.4–10.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.1–9.5 |
| Depression among adults | 20.0% | 17.0–23.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.6% | 11.0–14.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.2% | 32.9–41.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.4% | 34.5–50.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.5% | 10.3–15.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.2% | 7.6–11.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.1% | 76.3–81.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.4% | 73.8–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.3% | 82.4–86.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.4% | 63.7–72.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.2% | 62.9–69.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.0% | 71.0–84.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.5% | 16.3–23.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.7% | 14.1–19.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.4% | 23.8–33.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.0% | 28.9–41.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.7% | 17.6–23.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.5–18.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.5–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.6% | 12.7–16.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.4% | 27.0–35.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.6–9.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.2–9.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.0% | 12.8–17.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.5–5.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.2% | 21.0–28.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 11.5–16.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.3% | 9.4–13.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.2% | 8.8–12.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.4–8.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.7% | 27.2–36.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.9–8.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.4% | 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 | 5.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 84.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 14.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 86.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 47.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 15.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 41.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $72,534 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $91,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $758 | $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 | 85.3 yr ± 2.66 | 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 2.66 years of 85.3, 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