ZIP code
51231
in Archer, IowaPopulation 562
47.89/ 100
Ranked #19,067 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 41%)
Ranked #787 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 14.7%)
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
4.6 pCi/L
in the top 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Crowded housing
39.7%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
33.4%
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Fiber broadband
98%
in the top 6.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST79thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
29.7%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
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 ›Distance to a community health center
18.9 mi
in the top 8.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
0.14%
in the bottom 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST18thUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
94.3%
in the top 9.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
19.3%
in the top 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST39thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›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
Judged by its overall standing, Archer, Iowa (ZIP 51231) sits in the bottom 41% nationally (19,067th) and the bottom 14.7% of Iowa (787th).
A few readings account for most of this area's strain: modeled radon registers in the top 0.6% nationally, crowded housing is in the top 0.3% nationally, and modeled arsenic lies in the top 2.5% nationally. Poverty registers in the top 7.0% nationally, modeled fine-particle is in the top 8.6% nationally, and distance to a community health center lies in the top 8.9% nationally. On the better side, fiber broadband registers in the top 6.6% nationally. Unemployment is at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Households without a vehicle lies at the national minimum, shared with about 16% of ZIPs. Modeled transportation noise registers in the bottom 9.2% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, crowded housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put plainly, 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. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 51201, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 47%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Disability
healthier than 51%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 24%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 23%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 43%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 22%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 26%
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
51201
Iowashares a border
Score 51.03
Closest healthier
51238
Iowashares a border
Score 54.79
Similar health profile
51048
Iowa92% similar profile
Score 48.84
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 | 29.8% | 26.3–33.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.8% | 32.8–41.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.7–8.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.2–10.2 |
| Depression among adults | 22.1% | 18.7–25.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.3% | 10.6–14.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.5% | 32.2–40.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.0% | 32.2–48.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.8% | 12.8–19.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.9% | 5.4–8.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.1% | 75.0–81.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.7% | 73.9–81.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.2% | 81.7–86.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.5% | 64.4–74.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.3% | 61.6–68.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.5% | 69.9–84.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.3% | 16.0–23.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.8% | 14.5–21.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.2% | 22.4–32.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.6% | 28.5–41.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.9% | 16.7–23.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.3% | 15.2–19.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.5–16.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.6% | 12.5–16.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.2% | 26.8–36.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.5–9.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.1–9.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.8% | 12.4–17.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.4–4.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.1–5.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.3% | 18.8–26.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 10.4–16.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.3% | 9.5–15.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 7.8–11.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.1–8.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.3% | 26.6–36.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 5.9–8.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 29.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 0.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 33.5% | 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 | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 94.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 39.7% | 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 | 20.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 5.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 15.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $108,058 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $189,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 78.2 yr ± 1.05 | 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 1.05 years of 78.2, 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