ZIP code
51549
in Macedonia, IowaPopulation 363
53.98/ 100
Ranked #10,713 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 33%)
Ranked #339 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 37%)
Ranked #83 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
4.3 pCi/L
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS99thDefinition & 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
100%
at the national maximum
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Nitrate in drinking water
24.8%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.5%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST69thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
0.07%
in the bottom 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
2.4 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 10.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
21.6 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 ›Loneliness
34.2%
in the top 30% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS70thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
0.00%
in the bottom 36% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS36thDefinition & 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 ›The read
By the composite health measure, Macedonia, Iowa (ZIP 51549) ranks in the top 33% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,713th) and the top 37% of Iowa (339th).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: fiber broadband registers at the national maximum, and modeled transportation noise rests in the bottom 7.7% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise stands at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Housing-cost burden lies in the bottom 13.2% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity lands in the bottom 13.3% nationally. Set against that, modeled radon sits in the top 1.2% nationally, nitrate is in the top 1.9% nationally, and binge drinking settles in the top 4.5% nationally. Walkability resides in the bottom 10.4% nationally, and distance to a community health center registers in the top 13.4% nationally.
To spell things out, 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. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. Close by, ZIP 51525, 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. 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%
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Disability
healthier than 77%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 46%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 11%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 66%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 10%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 14%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 86%
13%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 39%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 25%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 18%
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
51525
Iowashares a border
Score 54.02
Closest healthier
51571
Iowashares a border
Score 60.77
Similar health profile
16024
Pennsylvania95% similar profile
Score 56.97
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% | 24.7–30.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.3% | 29.8–36.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.6–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.2–6.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.8% | 5.7–7.8 |
| Depression among adults | 22.7% | 19.7–25.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.3% | 8.9–11.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.0% | 33.3–40.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.5% | 31.3–41.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.5% | 7.6–11.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.6% | 4.4–6.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.2% | 77.3–82.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.6% | 75.4–81.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.2% | 84.3–88.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.3% | 66.2–74.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.2% | 65.0–71.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.9% | 74.1–85.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.5% | 17.4–23.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.3% | 12.0–16.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.7% | 20.0–27.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.3% | 27.6–37.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.8% | 13.5–18.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.5% | 14.5–18.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.5% | 10.8–14.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.2% | 24.5–31.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.1–7.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.1–8.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.7% | 10.7–14.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.6–3.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.2–4.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.3% | 20.1–26.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.2–12.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.1–9.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.3–9.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.8–6.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.2% | 30.1–38.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.2–5.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.4% | 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+) | 21.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 12.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.1% | 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 | 64.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 14.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 36.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $72,500 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $161,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $1,029 | $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 | 84.0 yr ± 1.71 | 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 1.71 years of 84.0, 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