ZIP code
51576
in Underwood, IowaPopulation 1,769
59.34/ 100
Ranked #5,325 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #75 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 8.2%)
Ranked #39 of 113 Omaha, NE-IA ZIPs (top 35%)
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.
Binge drinking
22.8%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.8 pCi/L
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST70thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Poverty rate
1.7%
in the bottom 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
5.0%
in the bottom 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
7.1%
in the bottom 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
8.5%
in the bottom 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
4.8%
in the bottom 10.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
13.8%
in the bottom 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
5.9%
in the bottom 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
6.7%
in the bottom 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›The read
Underwood, Iowa (ZIP 51576), by its composite score, sits in the top 17% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,325th) and the top 8.2% of Iowa (75th).
The measures fall on both sides for this area, fairly evenly: poverty sits in the bottom 6.2% nationally, and modeled transportation lies in the bottom 7.6% nationally. Households without a vehicle rests at the national minimum, shared with about 16% of ZIPs. Modeled housing insecurity resides in the bottom 8.1% nationally, food insecurity is in the bottom 9.8% nationally, and utility shutoff lands in the bottom 10.9% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health stands in the bottom 8.7% nationally, and independent living disability registers in the bottom 8.3% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled binge drinking settles in the top 1.3% nationally, and radon sits in the top 2.7% nationally.
For anyone unfamiliar, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 51575, about 3.0 miles away.
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 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 82%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 72%
8%
Disability
healthier than 90%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 38%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 94%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 90%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 73%
13%
Disability
healthier than 96%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 46%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 80%
13%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 60%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
“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 ›
Findings that name this ZIP
One of our published findings lists this ZIP code. Each finding compares one published measure against a stated benchmark, and names only the ZIP codes whose estimates are reliable enough to rank. See all surprising findings.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 23.3; chronic-disease standing 82.5 — 59 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,329 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
51503
Iowashares a border
Score 52.55
Closest healthier
51575
Iowaabout 3.0 mi away
Score 59.44
Similar health profile
19426
Pennsylvania99% similar profile
Score 63.00
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 | 24.6% | 21.8–27.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.3% | 27.9–34.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.8% | 8.0–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–5.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.6% | 4.8–6.4 |
| Depression among adults | 21.3% | 18.3–24.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.1% | 7.8–10.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.4% | 31.8–38.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.2% | 31.0–41.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.4–2.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.7% | 5.4–8.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.1% | 4.1–6.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.7% | 74.5–80.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.5% | 74.1–80.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.6% | 84.8–88.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.0% | 65.9–73.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.9% | 67.8–73.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.4% | 74.5–85.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 22.8% | 19.4–26.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.7% | 11.4–16.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.8% | 17.6–24.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.7% | 27.9–37.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.8% | 11.8–15.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.6–17.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.1% | 9.7–12.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.1–13.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 24.6% | 21.3–27.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.1–6.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.3% | 8.8–11.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.6% | 2.3–2.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.7–3.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.9% | 19.9–26.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.0–10.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.1–7.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.0–8.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.0% | 4.3–5.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.7% | 28.7–37.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 4.1–5.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 1.7% | 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+) | 2.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 31.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 15.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 61.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 15.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 40.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $110,476 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $305,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $1,172 | $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 | 81.9 yr ± 1.29 | 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 1.29 years of 81.9, 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