ZIP code
51401
in Carroll, IowaPopulation 11,990
52.94/ 100
Ranked #12,164 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 38%)
Ranked #416 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 45%)
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 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
33.7 mi
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
98.9%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST84thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
7.8 ppb
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
US95thDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›Elder-services access
0.16 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
8.3%
in the top 11.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
111 units
in the top 17% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS83rdDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
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 ›The read
By the composite measure, Carroll, Iowa (ZIP 51401) sits in the top 38% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,164th) and the top 45% of Iowa (416th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: fiber broadband is in the top 5.1% nationally. Distance to an emergency room rests at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Elder services sits in the top 9.1% nationally, and modeled short sleep registers in the bottom 10.5% nationally. Working the other way, modeled radon lands in the top 0.9% nationally, and expected annual loss resides in the top 3.0% nationally. Distance to a community health center lies in the top 3.3% nationally, and modeled disaster risk settles in the top 4.3% nationally. Lead in tap water stands in the top 5.3% nationally, and modeled transportation noise is in the top 11.6% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. ZIP 51455, just across the boundary, ranks 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.
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 70%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 77%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 79%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 48%
11%
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 4%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 84%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 70%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 57%
13%
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 9%
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
50058
Iowashares a border
Score 47.46
Closest healthier
51455
Iowashares a border
Score 53.52
Similar health profile
58041
North Dakota98% similar profile
Score 53.69
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 | 30.7% | 27.3–34.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.9% | 33.8–42.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.4% | 9.5–11.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.7–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.9% | 6.8–9.1 |
| Depression among adults | 19.7% | 16.7–23.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.2% | 10.5–14.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.6% | 33.5–42.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.9% | 32.5–47.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.0% | 7.2–11.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.8% | 5.6–8.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.6% | 78.0–83.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.5% | 76.1–82.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.1% | 84.3–87.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.5% | 63.5–73.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.5% | 65.0–71.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.8% | 70.3–84.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.1% | 15.9–22.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.2% | 12.7–17.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.7% | 23.1–32.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.2% | 24.4–36.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.7% | 16.0–21.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.7% | 13.8–17.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.8% | 12.1–15.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.3% | 11.6–15.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.5% | 25.4–33.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.7–9.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.9% | 6.9–9.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.6% | 12.5–16.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.1–5.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.1% | 18.9–25.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.4% | 9.5–13.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.9% | 8.2–11.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.3–10.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.6–7.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.1% | 25.6–35.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 5.2–7.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.1% | 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 | 87.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 18.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 53.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 23.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 43.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $70,702 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $195,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $726 | $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 | 79.6 yr ± 0.76 | 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 0.76 years of 79.6, 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