ZIP code
51527
in Defiance, IowaPopulation 362
54.08/ 100
Ranked #10,588 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 33%)
Ranked #326 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 35%)
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
4.9 pCi/L
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS99thDefinition & 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
41.7 mi
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
6.8%
in the bottom 6.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
28.9%
in the bottom 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.42%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Utility shut-off threat
4.7%
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
5.2%
in the bottom 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
5.1%
in the top 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
3.1%
in the top 10.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS89thDefinition & 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 ›Loneliness
29%
in the bottom 14.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Defiance, Iowa (ZIP 51527) sits in the top 33% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,588th) and the top 35% of Iowa (326th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: modeled housing insecurity resides in the bottom 6.0% nationally, short sleep lies in the bottom 5.5% nationally, and utility shutoff settles in the bottom 9.7% nationally. Modeled transportation stands in the bottom 9.9% nationally, and food insecurity is in the bottom 12.2% nationally. Working the other way, modeled radon rests in the top 0.3% nationally, and distance to a community health center sits in the top 1.9% nationally. Modeled nitrate registers in the top 7.4% nationally, and energy burden lands in the top 8.0% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure resides in the top 10.8% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, outer-floodplain exposure 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. 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. ZIP 51446, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 92%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 92%
8%
Disability
healthier than 66%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 34%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 1%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 95%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 92%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 99%
8%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 39%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 2%
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
51442
Iowashares a border
Score 42.74
Closest healthier
51446
Iowashares a border
Score 54.14
Similar health profile
58053
North Dakota98% similar profile
Score 53.05
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 | 32.9% | 29.3–36.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.7% | 35.4–43.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.6% | 10.6–12.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.4% | 8.4–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.3–9.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.8% | 6.7–9.0 |
| Depression among adults | 18.2% | 15.5–20.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.1% | 11.2–14.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.7% | 36.4–45.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.3% | 30.3–44.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.5–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.4% | 7.6–11.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.1% | 4.9–7.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 82.8% | 80.2–85.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.7% | 77.7–83.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.4% | 86.9–89.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.4% | 65.8–74.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 72.0% | 68.9–74.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.9% | 72.9–85.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.7% | 15.8–21.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.3% | 11.7–16.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.4% | 21.1–29.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.9% | 23.6–34.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.1% | 15.4–20.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.8% | 12.1–15.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.6% | 11.8–15.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.0–13.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.8% | 25.5–33.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.2–10.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.0–7.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.4% | 12.3–16.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–4.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.7–4.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.4% | 19.1–25.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.3–10.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 5.7–8.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.7–7.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.4–5.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.0% | 24.7–33.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.7% | 4.0–5.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 14.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 88.6% | 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 | 3.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 60.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 29.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 37.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $64,750 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $123,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $689 | $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 | 79.5 yr ± 0.83 | 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 0.83 years of 79.5, 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