ZIP code
51536
in Hancock, IowaPopulation 613
48.72/ 100
Ranked #18,054 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 44%)
Ranked #751 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 19%)
Ranked #103 of 113 Omaha, NE-IA ZIPs (bottom 8.9%)
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
4.3 pCi/L
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
9.3%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
2.3 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 9.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
17.9 mi
in the top 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST72ndUS90thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
10.4%
in the bottom 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST27thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›Poverty rate
19.2%
in the top 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS80thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
9.9%
in the top 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS80thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
8.9%
in the top 22% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS78thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, Hancock, Iowa (ZIP 51536) stands in the bottom 44% nationally (18,054th) and the bottom 19% of Iowa (751st).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: modeled pfas rests in the bottom 10.0% nationally. Crowded housing lands at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs. Housing-cost burden settles in the bottom 14.6% nationally, and unemployment rests in the bottom 15% nationally. By contrast, modeled radon lands in the top 1.2% nationally, modeled nitrate settles in the top 3.2% nationally, and walkability rests in the bottom 9.2% nationally. Distance to a community health center lands in the top 9.6% nationally, and modeled binge drinking settles in the top 12.7% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility rests at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs.
For clarity, 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. 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. ZIP 51521, 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. 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 80%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 47%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 27%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 51%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 29%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 27%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 78%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
in the bottom 0.9%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 20%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Disability
healthier than 10%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 13%
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
51521
Iowashares a border
Score 49.64
Closest healthier
51553
Iowashares a border
Score 55.63
Similar health profile
52251
Iowa97% similar profile
Score 48.26
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 | 32.1% | 28.9–35.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.5% | 36.7–44.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.4% | 10.3–12.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.9% | 7.8–10.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.0% | 7.8–10.5 |
| Depression among adults | 20.9% | 18.0–23.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.5% | 11.6–15.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.9% | 37.1–44.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.6% | 33.2–43.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.8% | 10.5–15.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.4% | 5.1–7.9 |
| 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 | 79.9% | 76.9–82.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.9% | 85.1–88.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.7% | 62.2–71.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.3% | 61.0–67.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.5% | 73.4–84.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.8% | 15.9–21.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.7% | 14.1–19.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.1% | 23.1–31.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.2% | 28.4–38.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.3% | 16.6–22.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.6% | 13.8–17.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.6–16.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.4% | 11.7–15.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.8% | 28.8–36.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.9% | 8.7–11.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.0–9.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.2% | 14.0–18.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.2–5.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.8% | 20.4–27.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.6% | 9.5–14.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 7.8–11.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 6.9–9.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.5–7.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.7% | 28.5–37.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.0–6.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 19.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 84.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 13.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 80.9% | 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 | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 55.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 22.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 42.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $101,750 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $163,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $862 | $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 | 78.4 yr ± 1.33 | 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 1.33 years of 78.4, 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