ZIP code
51449
in Lake City, IowaPopulation 1,950
51.69/ 100
Ranked #13,854 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 43%)
Ranked #521 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 43%)
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 ›Elder-services access
0.95 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Pharmacy access
0.95 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies 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 ›Distance to a community health center
26.3 mi
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Physician access
1.9 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices 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 ›Transportation noise
0.14%
in the bottom 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Recreation access
0.95 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.8% 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
54 mi
in the top 10.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS89thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
17.9%
in the top 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS80thDefinition & 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 ›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, Lake City, Iowa (ZIP 51449) sits in the top 43% healthiest ZIPs nationally (13,854th) and the bottom 43% of Iowa (521st).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: elder services lands in the top 0.9% nationally, and pharmacy resides in the top 1.2% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lies at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Physicians settles in the top 7.9% nationally, and modeled transportation noise stands in the bottom 9.2% nationally. Recreation is in the top 9.8% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site rests in the top 10.6% nationally. Housing-cost burden sits in the bottom 11.6% nationally. On the other hand, modeled radon registers in the top 0.9% nationally, and distance to a community health center lands in the top 5.2% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, elder services 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. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. ZIP 51401, 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 62%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 80%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 79%
8%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 55%
11%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 6%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 68%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 82%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 70%
8%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 19%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Disability
healthier than 32%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 18%
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
50561
Iowashares a border
Score 51.07
Closest healthier
51401
Iowashares a border
Score 52.94
Similar health profile
51533
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 51.81
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 | 32.7% | 29.1–36.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.7% | 34.4–43.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.3% | 10.2–12.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.4% | 7.3–9.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.1–10.0 |
| Depression among adults | 20.0% | 16.9–23.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.8% | 10.9–14.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.3% | 34.8–43.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.2% | 31.0–47.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.5% | 12.5–19.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.4% | 5.1–8.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 82.1% | 79.5–84.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.9% | 76.6–83.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.9% | 85.1–88.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.9% | 63.6–73.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.2% | 63.6–70.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.2% | 69.6–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.9% | 14.9–21.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.2% | 12.6–18.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.1% | 22.1–32.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.8% | 24.7–37.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.9% | 15.8–22.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.6–17.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.0–16.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.3% | 11.4–15.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.0% | 26.5–35.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.5% | 8.3–10.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.0% | 6.8–9.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.5% | 12.9–18.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.2–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.0–5.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.5% | 19.0–26.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 8.3–12.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 6.9–11.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.9% | 6.4–9.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.0% | 5.1–7.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.3% | 25.4–35.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.6–6.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 11.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 80.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.7% | 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 | 67.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 29.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 48.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $75,329 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $115,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $763 | $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 | 75.4 yr ± 1.70 | 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 1.70 years of 75.4, 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