ZIP code
51550
in Magnolia, IowaPopulation 169
49.85/ 100
Ranked #16,456 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 49%)
Ranked #679 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 26%)
Ranked #98 of 113 Omaha, NE-IA ZIPs (bottom 13.3%)
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
3.9 pCi/L
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST72ndUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
0.00%
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS4thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the bottom 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS5thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
26 mi
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Poverty rate
1.2%
in the bottom 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
0.04%
in the bottom 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Housing-cost burden
8.1%
in the bottom 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
8.3 mi
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS84thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›Walkability
53 intersections/sq mi
in the top 19% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS81stDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›The read
Magnolia, Iowa (ZIP 51550), overall, ranks in the bottom 49% nationally (16,456th) and the bottom 26% of Iowa (679th).
This area's pressures are easy to read across the measures: modeled radon is in the top 2.5% nationally, and distance to a community health center sits in the top 5.3% nationally. Fiber broadband lands at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. On the brighter side, floodplain exposure lies at the national minimum, and modeled expected annual loss stands in the bottom 4.0% nationally. Modeled disaster risk rests in the bottom 4.6% nationally, and poverty registers in the bottom 5.5% nationally. Modeled transportation noise resides in the bottom 7.0% nationally, and housing-cost burden settles in the bottom 7.3% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise is at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs.
Measured against the nearby ZIPs, outer-floodplain exposure runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. ZIP 51546, just across the boundary, comes out 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 76%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 4%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 20%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 37%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Disability
healthier than 17%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 10%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 86%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 87%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 3%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 13%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 26%
8%
Disability
healthier than 8%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 3%
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
51546
Iowashares a border
Score 54.03
Closest healthier
51555
Iowashares a border
Score 50.53
Similar health profile
50480
Iowa99% similar profile
Score 49.57
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 | 32.4% | 28.7–36.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.2% | 35.7–44.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.9% | 9.8–12.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.4–9.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.9% | 7.4–10.5 |
| Depression among adults | 20.2% | 17.1–23.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.0% | 12.0–16.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.8% | 35.5–44.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.4% | 29.1–44.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.3% | 3.7–5.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.8% | 8.7–13.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.1% | 5.5–9.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.2% | 78.4–83.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.1% | 76.9–83.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.7% | 84.7–88.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.0% | 63.8–73.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.7% | 65.2–72.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.2% | 72.2–85.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.7% | 15.6–22.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.7% | 13.5–20.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.9% | 22.8–33.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.2% | 27.2–39.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.4% | 17.0–24.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.9% | 13.8–18.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.8% | 12.6–17.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.9% | 11.9–16.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.2% | 27.4–37.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.3–10.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.2–10.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.1% | 13.3–18.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.6–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.4–5.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.9% | 19.3–26.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.2% | 9.6–15.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 8.5–13.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 7.6–11.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.9% | 5.8–8.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.0% | 25.3–35.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.6–7.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 1.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 18.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 19.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 8.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 90.5% | 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 | 46.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 20.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 42.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $77,500 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $105,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $1,354 | $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 | 74.5 yr ± 1.54 | 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 1.54 years of 74.5, 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