ZIP code
51577
in Walnut, IowaPopulation 1,561
49.42/ 100
Ranked #17,035 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 47%)
Ranked #711 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 23%)
Ranked #100 of 113 Omaha, NE-IA ZIPs (bottom 11.6%)
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
4.5 pCi/L
in the top 0.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
30 mi
in the top 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Fiber broadband
98.3%
in the top 6.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST81stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.19%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS92ndDefinition & 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
19.4%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST41stUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS17thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
8.6%
in the top 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS81stDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
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 ›The read
Walnut, Iowa (ZIP 51577) ranks in the bottom 47% nationally (17,035th) and the bottom 23% of Iowa (711th).
Several signals sit on each side of the ledger here: fiber broadband settles in the top 6.2% nationally, and modeled colon screening rests in the top 11.0% nationally. Crowded housing lands at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs. Modeled industrial-pollution burden settles in the bottom 17% nationally. Working the other way, modeled radon rests in the top 0.8% nationally, distance to a community health center lands in the top 4.1% nationally, and modeled nitrate settles in the top 7.9% nationally. Modeled binge drinking rests in the top 8.8% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility lands at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. Modeled tree cover settles in the bottom 16% nationally.
Against its neighbors, outer-floodplain exposure runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, 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. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 51521, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 70%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Disability
healthier than 51%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 29%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 4%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 54%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 28%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 37%
8%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 71%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 68%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 90%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 7%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 13%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 16%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 12%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 2%
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
50022
Iowashares a border
Score 45.18
Closest healthier
51521
Iowashares a border
Score 49.64
Similar health profile
50250
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 50.34
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 | 30.6% | 27.8–33.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.6% | 35.2–41.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.7% | 9.8–11.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 9.0–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.4–10.0 |
| Depression among adults | 21.1% | 18.4–23.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.7% | 11.1–14.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.5% | 36.0–42.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.4% | 33.4–43.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.7% | 10.5–15.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.1% | 5.7–8.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.7% | 79.3–83.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.9% | 76.0–81.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.6% | 83.8–87.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.9% | 68.1–75.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.0% | 61.0–67.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.5% | 71.5–82.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.4% | 16.8–22.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.7% | 14.3–19.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.4% | 23.7–31.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.4% | 28.1–36.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.2% | 16.6–22.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.0% | 14.2–17.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.3–15.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 12.0–15.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.4% | 28.7–36.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.4–10.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.0–9.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.5% | 13.4–17.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.0% | 21.0–27.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.1% | 10.0–14.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.3–12.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.2–10.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.6–7.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.1% | 29.3–37.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.1–6.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 17.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 77.3% | 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 | 0.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 52.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 49.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 64.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $71,518 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $134,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $874 | $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 | 77.9 yr ± 0.77 | 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 0.77 years of 77.9, 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