ZIP code
51462
in Scranton, IowaPopulation 1,049
48.85/ 100
Ranked #17,858 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 44%)
Ranked #742 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 20%)
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
3.9 pCi/L
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST72ndUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
6.4%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Civic-institution access
0.97 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Fatal road crashes
47.7 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
8.3%
in the bottom 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST14thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Distance to a community health center
24.8 mi
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
2.4 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 9.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 11.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Home broadband subscription
96.5%
in the top 12.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
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
On the composite measure, Scranton, Iowa (ZIP 51462) stands in the bottom 44% nationally (17,858th) and the bottom 20% of Iowa (742nd).
Several readings make the pressure on this area plain: modeled radon settles in the top 2.5% nationally, and energy burden rests in the top 1.9% nationally. Fatal road crashes lands in the top 4.5% nationally, and distance to a community health center settles in the top 5.8% nationally. Walkability rests in the bottom 9.9% nationally, and modeled disaster risk lands in the top 11.8% nationally. On the encouraging side, civic settles in the top 4.4% nationally, modeled pfas rests in the bottom 5.3% nationally, and fiber broadband lands in the top 10.4% nationally. Home broadband subscription settles in the top 12.4% nationally.
For clarity, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. 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 50026, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 64%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 60%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 41%
11%
Disability
healthier than 51%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 6%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 55%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 25%
13%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 15%
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
50026
Iowashares a border
Score 53.76
Closest healthier
50029
Iowashares a border
Score 50.33
Similar health profile
51465
Iowa97% similar profile
Score 49.31
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 | 31.2% | 27.7–34.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.7% | 34.5–43.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.7–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.5–9.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.4–9.8 |
| Depression among adults | 20.3% | 17.1–23.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.1% | 11.3–15.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.8% | 33.4–42.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.9% | 28.2–44.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.3% | 12.4–18.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.0% | 5.7–8.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.2% | 78.5–83.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.9% | 75.3–82.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.2–87.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.7% | 64.5–74.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.6% | 60.9–68.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.0% | 65.6–81.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.8% | 15.6–22.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.5% | 13.8–19.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.7% | 23.0–32.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.4% | 24.9–38.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.7% | 16.9–22.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.1% | 14.1–18.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.3% | 12.4–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 11.9–15.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.1% | 26.5–35.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.5% | 8.3–10.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.0–9.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.1% | 12.9–17.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.4% | 19.0–26.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.4% | 9.3–13.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.2–12.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.2–10.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.6–7.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.2% | 26.3–36.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 5.2–7.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 75.3% | 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 | 2.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 65.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 19.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 34.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $69,286 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $146,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $903 | $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 | 77.4 yr ± 1.27 | 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 1.27 years of 77.4, 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