ZIP code
51542
in Honey Creek, IowaPopulation 802
59.02/ 100
Ranked #5,585 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #82 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 8.9%)
Ranked #48 of 113 Omaha, NE-IA ZIPs (top 42%)
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
3.5 pCi/L
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST53rdUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.8%
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
6.6%
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.7%
in the bottom 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
98.7%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
5.6%
in the bottom 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
4.4%
in the bottom 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
8.1%
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
4.6%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Poverty rate
2.9%
in the bottom 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, Honey Creek, Iowa (ZIP 51542) ranks in the top 17% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,585th) and the top 8.9% of Iowa (82nd).
The profile opens on a set of genuinely favorable readings: modeled housing insecurity rests in the bottom 4.9% nationally, and transportation is in the bottom 5.1% nationally. Homeownership stands in the top 5.3% nationally, and housing-cost burden settles in the bottom 5.5% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff lies in the bottom 6.6% nationally, modeled food insecurity resides in the bottom 7.8% nationally, and poverty lands in the bottom 9.3% nationally. On the other side, modeled radon registers in the top 5.1% nationally, modeled binge drinking sits in the top 3.7% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure rests in the top 7.9% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 51576, 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 68%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 83%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 84%
8%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 52%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 33%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 93%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 92%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 75%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Disability
healthier than 93%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 68%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 50%
14%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 12%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 62%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 88%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 94%
13%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 43%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
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
51526
Iowashares a border
Score 55.81
Closest healthier
51576
Iowashares a border
Score 59.34
Similar health profile
50647
Iowa99% similar profile
Score 62.00
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 | 27.7% | 24.5–30.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.2% | 31.4–38.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.3% | 9.3–11.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 8.6–11.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.5–7.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.1–7.6 |
| Depression among adults | 20.2% | 17.3–23.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.5% | 8.9–12.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.4% | 34.6–42.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.4% | 30.9–41.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.7–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.4% | 6.7–10.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.9% | 3.8–6.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.8% | 77.9–83.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.4% | 76.3–82.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.6% | 86.9–90.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.2% | 68.0–76.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.3% | 66.3–72.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.7% | 72.3–84.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.8% | 17.8–24.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.5% | 10.6–16.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.7% | 17.6–26.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.4% | 27.8–37.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.4% | 12.0–17.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.4–16.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.7% | 10.0–13.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.0% | 9.3–12.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.0% | 22.1–30.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.4–8.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.9% | 4.9–7.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.6% | 9.6–13.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.8% | 2.4–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.3% | 2.8–3.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.7% | 19.1–26.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 6.1–10.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 4.3–7.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.1–8.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.7% | 3.8–5.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.6% | 27.4–36.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.4% | 3.5–5.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 2.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 43.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 5.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 98.7% | 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 | 88.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 30.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 59.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $118,165 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $381,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 80.5 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 80.5, 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