ZIP code
51525
in Carson, IowaPopulation 1,067
54.02/ 100
Ranked #10,680 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 33%)
Ranked #334 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 36%)
Ranked #82 of 113 Omaha, NE-IA ZIPs (bottom 27%)
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
4.6 pCi/L
in the top 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Fiber broadband
99.6%
in the top 3.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
20.9%
in the top 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST79thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
4.3%
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 ›Fatal road crashes
37.5 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Mammography
80.7%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
21.4 days/year
in the top 21% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS79thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
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
Overall, Carson, Iowa (ZIP 51525) places in the top 33% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,680th) and the top 36% of Iowa (334th).
The measures fall on both sides for this area, fairly evenly: fiber broadband registers in the top 3.1% nationally, and modeled mammography settles in the top 7.8% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity sits in the bottom 11.4% nationally, and utility shutoff lies in the bottom 13.5% nationally. Modeled transportation rests in the bottom 13.7% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled radon resides in the top 0.6% nationally, binge drinking is in the top 3.5% nationally, and nitrate lands in the top 4.5% nationally. Fatal road crashes stands in the top 8.1% nationally, and distance to a community health center registers in the top 12.6% nationally.
For readers new to these 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. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 51553, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 82%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 75%
8%
Disability
healthier than 74%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 43%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 13%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 70%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 75%
13%
Disability
healthier than 75%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 35%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 23%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 27%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Disability
healthier than 36%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
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
51535
Iowashares a border
Score 52.26
Closest healthier
51553
Iowashares a border
Score 55.63
Similar health profile
50234
Iowa97% similar profile
Score 57.63
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 | 28.0% | 25.1–31.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.5% | 31.9–38.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.2% | 9.2–11.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.1–7.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.0–8.3 |
| Depression among adults | 20.9% | 18.0–23.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.9% | 9.3–12.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.8% | 34.1–41.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.6% | 31.3–41.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.2% | 9.1–13.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.9% | 4.7–7.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.3% | 77.4–82.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.4% | 75.1–81.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.4% | 84.4–88.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.3% | 65.0–73.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.6% | 65.5–71.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.7% | 75.1–85.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.9% | 17.9–24.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.9% | 12.4–17.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.9% | 20.1–28.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.5% | 27.8–37.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.3% | 13.8–19.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.7–17.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.5% | 10.8–14.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.5% | 10.8–14.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.8% | 25.2–32.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.0–9.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.0–8.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.0% | 11.1–15.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.7–3.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.7% | 20.4–27.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 7.9–11.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 5.8–9.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.2–8.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.7–6.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.2% | 28.9–37.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.0% | 4.2–5.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 26.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 18.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 83.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 52.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 26.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 46.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $82,308 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $196,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $728 | $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 | 84.1 yr ± 1.86 | 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 1.86 years of 84.1, 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