ZIP code
51442
in Denison, IowaPopulation 9,692
42.74/ 100
Ranked #24,596 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 23%)
Ranked #907 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 1.7%)
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
4.8 pCi/L
in the top 0.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
34 mi
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
4.2%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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 ›Uninsured (under 65)
17.9%
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
44%
in the top 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Civic-institution access
0.61 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 10.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics located 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 ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, Denison, Iowa (ZIP 51442) ranks in the bottom 23% nationally (24,596th) and the bottom 1.7% of Iowa (907th).
Neither strongly one way nor the other, the measures sit mixed: grocery settles in the top 7.0% nationally, and civic lies in the top 9.3% nationally. Mental-health providers resides in the top 10.6% nationally. Against that, modeled radon lands in the top 0.4% nationally, distance to a community health center registers in the top 3.2% nationally, and modeled nitrate sits in the top 4.5% nationally. Modeled uninsured rests in the top 6.5% nationally, expected annual loss is in the top 7.4% nationally, and obesity stands in the top 6.3% nationally. Modeled disaster risk settles in the top 9.8% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 51439, 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
Mental Health
healthier than 73%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Disability
healthier than 24%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 3%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 4%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 1%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
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
51439
Iowashares a border
Score 47.98
Closest healthier
51441
Iowashares a border
Score 49.56
Similar health profile
58570
North Dakota96% similar profile
Score 42.94
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 | 26.3% | 23.4–29.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.8% | 33.0–40.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.7% | 7.0–8.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.7% | 8.6–10.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.0–8.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.5–9.8 |
| Depression among adults | 18.8% | 16.0–21.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.7% | 12.9–16.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.5% | 31.7–39.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 44.0% | 37.0–51.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 19.1% | 15.8–22.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 17.9% | 15.1–20.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.6% | 74.9–79.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.5% | 73.0–79.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 80.8% | 78.6–82.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.3% | 55.1–65.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.4% | 53.8–60.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.2% | 67.5–81.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.5% | 15.5–21.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.5% | 15.1–20.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 35.7% | 31.1–40.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.1% | 29.4–41.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.8% | 23.7–30.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.2% | 15.3–19.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.8% | 13.9–17.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.3% | 15.3–19.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.7% | 30.6–39.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.8–9.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.2% | 15.0–19.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–5.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.7–8.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.9% | 23.5–31.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 23.9% | 20.6–27.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 19.5% | 16.7–22.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.8% | 14.5–19.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.7% | 10.2–13.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.6% | 31.1–41.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.5–12.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 22.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 16.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 26.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 46.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 14.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 36.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $66,767 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $159,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $755 | $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 | 77.8 yr ± 0.50 | 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 0.50 years of 77.8, 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