ZIP code
51556
in Modale, IowaPopulation 266
50.47/ 100
Ranked #15,599 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 49%)
Ranked #623 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 32%)
Ranked #95 of 113 Omaha, NE-IA ZIPs (bottom 16%)
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
3.7 pCi/L
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST64thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
23.9%
in the top 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
70.1%
in the top 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Walkability
1.9 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS7thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
2.0%
in the top 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
10.1%
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
15%
in the top 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS90thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms 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 ›Transportation noise
7.4%
in the top 13.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS86thDefinition & 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 ›Poverty rate
20.3%
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both modeled radon and modeled groundwater arsenic.
See the full radon & arsenic analysis →
The read
By the composite measure, Modale, Iowa (ZIP 51556) sits in the top 49% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,599th) and the bottom 32% of Iowa (623rd).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: modeled radon resides in the top 3.6% nationally. On the other hand, outer-floodplain exposure lies in the top 1.7% nationally, floodplain exposure settles in the top 1.7% nationally, and modeled binge drinking stands in the top 4.5% nationally. Walkability is in the bottom 6.8% nationally, and modeled loud transportation noise rests in the top 7.7% nationally. Unemployment sits in the top 9.4% nationally. Fiber broadband registers at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled arsenic lands in the top 9.9% nationally, and distance to a community health center resides in the top 10.2% 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. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". ZIP 51555, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 78%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 77%
8%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 60%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 11%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 66%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 64%
8%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 30%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.2%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 22%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 19%
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
51555
Iowashares a border
Score 50.53
Closest healthier
68008
Nebraskashares a border
Score 58.82
Similar health profile
51026
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 51.85
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 | 28.7% | 25.3–32.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.2% | 32.0–40.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.1–7.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.2–8.7 |
| Depression among adults | 20.0% | 17.0–23.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.9% | 10.1–13.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.9% | 33.6–42.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.0% | 27.8–42.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.0% | 10.5–15.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.4% | 5.0–8.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.1% | 76.0–82.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.8% | 75.2–82.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.1% | 84.1–88.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.3% | 63.5–73.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.2% | 66.9–73.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.2% | 72.2–85.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.5% | 17.3–24.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.0% | 13.0–19.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.1% | 20.7–29.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.1% | 26.1–38.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.8% | 15.0–21.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.8% | 13.8–17.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.3% | 11.4–15.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.2% | 11.4–15.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.4% | 24.0–32.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.8% | 6.8–8.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.3–8.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.1% | 11.0–15.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.0–4.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.2% | 19.6–26.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.7% | 8.5–13.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 6.9–10.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.0–10.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.0% | 5.1–7.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.3% | 25.6–35.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 4.8–6.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 20.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 9.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 10.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 12.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 82.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 26.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 58.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $60,556 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $139,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $1,125 | $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 | 76.2 yr ± 1.46 | 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 1.46 years of 76.2, 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