ZIP code
51331
in Arnolds Park, IowaPopulation 935
58.99/ 100
Ranked #5,600 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #84 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 9.2%)
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.
Recreation access
3.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
5.5%
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
26.7%
in the bottom 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.3%
in the bottom 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
31.6%
in the top 2.8% 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 ›Child-care access
0.91 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Food insecurity
7.0%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
4.0%
in the bottom 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Civic-institution access
0.91 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Radon
3.1 pCi/L
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST33rdUS91stDefinition & 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 ›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.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both modeled radon and modeled groundwater arsenic.
See the full radon & arsenic analysis →
The read
By its overall health score, Arnolds Park, Iowa (ZIP 51331) lands in the top 17% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,600th) and the top 9.2% of Iowa (84th).
The measures split the difference for this area: recreation rests in the top 0.4% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity is in the bottom 1.4% nationally. Modeled loneliness stands in the bottom 2.3% nationally, and transportation settles in the bottom 2.6% nationally. Childcare lies in the top 2.9% nationally, modeled food insecurity resides in the bottom 3.6% nationally, and modeled utility shutoff lands in the bottom 3.8% nationally. Civic registers in the top 5.0% nationally. Against that, modeled arsenic sits in the top 2.8% nationally, and radon rests in the top 8.8% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, recreation runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 51363, about 8.6 miles away.
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 93%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 98%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 84%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 96%
8%
Disability
healthier than 73%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 19%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 17%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 98%
16%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.3%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.2%
11%
Mental Health
in the top 0.4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 73%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 19%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
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
51351
Iowashares a border
Score 56.65
Closest healthier
51363
Iowaabout 8.6 mi away
Score 60.89
Similar health profile
11970
New York98% similar profile
Score 61.43
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 | 34.0% | 30.1–38.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.8% | 37.3–46.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 13.5% | 12.2–14.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.3–10.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–9.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.4–9.1 |
| Depression among adults | 17.5% | 14.7–20.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.2% | 11.2–15.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.3% | 36.8–46.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.9% | 29.4–44.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.8% | 6.2–9.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.4% | 3.5–5.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 84.6% | 82.0–86.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.4% | 79.4–85.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.8% | 89.4–92.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 74.2% | 69.8–78.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 75.2% | 72.3–78.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.5% | 73.9–86.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.2% | 13.4–19.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.8% | 9.4–14.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.8% | 18.6–27.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 29.9% | 24.5–36.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.1% | 13.4–18.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 12.4% | 10.8–14.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.6% | 10.8–14.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.2% | 8.8–11.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.2% | 24.0–32.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.4–10.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.3–7.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.2% | 11.8–16.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.3% | 2.8–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.3% | 16.3–22.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 5.5–8.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.4–7.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.4–6.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.3% | 3.6–5.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 26.7% | 22.6–31.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.0% | 3.3–4.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 40.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 17.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 86.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 49.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 64.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $89,167 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $448,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $497 | $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 | 86.1 yr ± 1.61 | 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 1.61 years of 86.1, 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