ZIP code
51109
in Sioux City, IowaPopulation 3,606
46.63/ 100
Ranked #20,609 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #841 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 8.8%)
Ranked #26 of 30 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ZIPs (bottom 13.4%)
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
4.4 pCi/L
in the top 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS99thDefinition & 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
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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
6.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Elder-services access
0.32 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
94.4%
in the top 6.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›PFOS in drinking water
94.4%
in the top 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
9.3%
in the bottom 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST21stUS7thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Recreation access
0.96 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
3.4%
in the top 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 51109, one of several in Sioux City, Iowa, overall, ranks in the bottom 36% nationally (20,609th) and the bottom 8.8% of Iowa (841st).
Several serious readings shape the profile and deserve first mention: modeled radon is in the top 1.0% nationally, lithium in drinking water sits in the top 0.6% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water lands in the top 6.7% nationally. PFOS in drinking water lies in the top 6.9% nationally, modeled fine-particle stands in the top 9.1% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure rests in the top 10.0% nationally. On the better side, transit registers in the top 3.0% nationally, and elder services resides in the top 4.2% nationally. Modeled pfas settles in the bottom 7.5% nationally, and recreation is in the top 9.6% nationally.
Measured against the nearby ZIPs, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, 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. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. ZIP 51024, just across the boundary, comes out 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. 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 65%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 44%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 56%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 51%
8%
Disability
healthier than 40%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 32%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 71%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 37%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Disability
healthier than 12%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 23%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 55%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 24%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 14%
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
51024
Iowashares a border
Score 56.98
Closest healthier
51062
Iowashares a border
Score 55.46
Similar health profile
17602
Pennsylvania94% similar profile
Score 41.98
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 | 28.7% | 26.3–31.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.8% | 34.9–41.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.7% | 8.0–9.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.3–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.1% | 7.8–10.4 |
| Depression among adults | 21.0% | 18.6–23.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.3% | 11.8–15.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.6% | 33.7–39.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.7% | 36.4–45.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.4% | 13.8–19.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.2% | 8.4–12.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.6% | 77.3–81.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.6% | 74.8–80.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.6% | 81.6–85.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.0% | 60.3–67.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 58.0% | 55.1–60.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.4% | 67.6–78.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.1% | 16.7–21.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.1% | 16.6–21.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.1% | 27.4–35.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.1% | 29.8–36.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.6% | 19.7–25.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.2% | 16.5–20.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.1–17.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.8% | 14.1–17.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.1% | 28.6–35.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.1% | 8.0–10.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.7% | 13.6–17.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.9–6.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.2% | 22.9–29.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.3% | 12.8–18.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.5% | 11.1–15.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.7% | 10.0–13.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.2–9.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.4% | 29.5–37.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.8% | 6.8–9.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 14.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 3.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 13.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 87.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 8.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 40.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 17.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 39.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $79,034 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $130,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $627 | $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 | 75.9 yr ± 1.51 | 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 1.51 years of 75.9, 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