ZIP code
51103
in Sioux City, IowaPopulation 16,895
43.26/ 100
Ranked #24,145 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 25%)
Ranked #903 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 2.1%)
Ranked #27 of 30 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ZIPs (bottom 10.0%)
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
4.1 pCi/L
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Lithium in drinking water
190 µg/L
in the top 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Transit access
6.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
421 units
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
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 ›Park land
16.5%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
90.3%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS91stDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
90.3%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
1.2%
in the top 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, ZIP 51103, one of several in Sioux City, Iowa lands in the bottom 25% nationally (24,145th) and the bottom 2.1% of Iowa (903rd).
Several measures weigh most on this area's profile, and they come first: modeled radon lands in the top 1.6% nationally, and lithium in drinking water sits in the top 0.6% nationally. Modeled fine-particle is in the top 8.1% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water settles in the top 8.6% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss resides in the top 8.6% nationally, PFOS in drinking water registers in the top 8.8% nationally, and slow internet speeds rests in the top 9.9% nationally. On the better side, transit stands in the top 3.0% nationally, subsidized affordable housing lies in the top 5.6% nationally, and park land lands in the top 8.2% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 51104, just across the boundary, ranks better 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. Compare it against the US, this state and the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 52%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 60%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 29%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 11%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 10%
11%
Disability
healthier than 23%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 96%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 53%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 3%
14%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 0.9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 6%
8%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 97%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 10%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 10%
8%
Disability
healthier than 10%
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 ›
Findings that name this ZIP
2 of our published findings list this ZIP code. Each finding compares one published measure against a stated benchmark, and names only the ZIP codes whose estimates are reliable enough to rank. See all surprising findings.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 75.5 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $58,197 predicts 77.9 years — 2.4 years below.
Ranked #3,312 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 75.5 ± 1.3 years. The 50 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.0 years — 4.5 years below them.
Ranked #3,214 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
51101
Iowashares a border
Score 35.38
Closest healthier
51104
Iowashares a border
Score 55.87
Similar health profile
07103
New Jersey96% similar profile
Score 43.33
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 | 25.3% | 22.9–27.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.3% | 33.3–39.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.8% | 7.8–9.8 |
| Depression among adults | 20.2% | 17.7–23.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.5% | 12.9–16.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.9% | 31.8–38.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.1% | 37.5–46.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.5% | 13.9–19.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 16.0% | 14.0–18.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.1% | 74.5–79.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.1% | 73.1–79.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 80.0% | 78.0–82.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.0% | 55.0–63.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 54.2% | 51.2–57.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.1% | 66.8–78.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.4% | 15.9–21.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.9% | 17.6–22.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 35.4% | 31.6–39.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.4% | 30.7–38.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 27.0% | 24.3–29.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.0% | 17.0–21.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.7% | 14.9–18.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.0% | 16.1–20.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.2% | 30.8–37.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.2–9.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.6% | 14.8–18.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–5.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.3% | 25.1–31.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 24.1% | 21.4–26.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 21.8% | 19.5–24.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.6% | 15.5–19.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–13.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.1% | 31.1–39.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.7% | 10.3–13.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 21.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 21.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 17.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 40.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 16.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 35.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $58,197 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $142,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $906 | $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 | 75.5 yr ± 0.67 | 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 0.67 years of 75.5, 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