ZIP code
51503
in Council Bluffs, IowaPopulation 37,972
52.55/ 100
Ranked #12,700 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 40%)
Ranked #447 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 48%)
Ranked #85 of 113 Omaha, NE-IA ZIPs (bottom 25%)
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.
Lithium in drinking water
100 µg/L
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
8.8%
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
20.4%
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST67thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
410 units
in the top 5.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.1 pCi/L
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST34thUS92ndDefinition & 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 Superfund site
0.7 mi
in the bottom 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST2ndUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
7.6%
in the top 13.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
2.2%
in the bottom 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS16thDefinition & 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 ›The read
ZIP 51503, one of several in Council Bluffs, Iowa ranks in the top 40% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,700th) and the top 48% of Iowa (447th).
Several signals sit on each side of the ledger here: distance to an emergency room settles at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Subsidized affordable housing rests in the top 5.7% nationally. Distance to a community health center lands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Working the other way, lithium in drinking water settles in the top 2.2% nationally, modeled expected annual loss rests in the top 2.4% nationally, and modeled disaster risk lands in the top 3.1% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure settles in the top 4.3% nationally, modeled binge drinking rests in the top 4.8% nationally, and modeled radon lands in the top 8.5% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site settles in the bottom 6.3% nationally.
Against its neighbors, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. 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. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 51526, 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. Compare it against the US, this state and the Omaha, NE-IA metro area.
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 75%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 60%
8%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 66%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 88%
16%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 30%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 14%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 54%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 21%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
“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
51501
Iowashares a border
Score 43.31
Closest healthier
51526
Iowashares a border
Score 55.81
Similar health profile
53549
Wisconsin96% similar profile
Score 54.38
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 | 27.6% | 24.8–30.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.2% | 31.8–38.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.5% | 8.6–10.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.2–7.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.8–8.3 |
| Depression among adults | 21.8% | 18.9–24.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.3% | 9.9–12.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.9% | 33.4–40.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.1% | 32.9–43.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.3–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.5% | 10.3–15.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.0% | 6.0–8.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.5% | 76.9–81.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.0% | 74.8–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.7% | 82.9–86.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.4% | 64.1–72.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.5% | 63.5–69.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.1% | 71.7–83.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.4% | 17.3–23.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.9% | 13.8–17.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.9% | 22.4–29.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.1% | 28.3–38.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.0% | 15.9–20.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.6% | 14.8–18.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.1% | 11.6–14.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.9% | 12.4–15.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.4% | 27.0–33.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–8.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.9% | 12.3–15.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.1–4.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.0% | 20.9–27.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.2–14.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.4–12.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 8.1–10.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.2–7.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.1% | 30.0–38.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.7–7.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 25.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 68.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.5% | 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 | 51.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 19.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 40.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $79,010 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $262,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $991 | $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 | 79.8 yr ± 0.59 | 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 0.59 years of 79.8, 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