ZIP code
52003
in Dubuque, IowaPopulation 13,796
61.96/ 100
Ranked #3,542 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 11.1%)
Ranked #41 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 4.5%)
Ranked #2 of 15 Dubuque, IA ZIPs (top 13.4%)
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.
Housing insecurity
6.4%
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.3 pCi/L
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST42ndUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.3%
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST64thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Lack of transportation
4.8%
in the bottom 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.9 mi
in the bottom 7.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST2ndUS7thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
8.0%
in the bottom 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
4.5%
in the bottom 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
1.4%
in the top 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.7%
in the top 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Mammography
81%
in the top 6.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, ZIP 52003, one of several in Dubuque, Iowa stands in the top 11.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,542nd) and the top 4.5% of Iowa (41st).
The strongest marks in the data are worth naming first: modeled housing insecurity stands in the bottom 4.0% nationally, and transportation sits in the bottom 5.9% nationally. Modeled food insecurity resides in the bottom 7.3% nationally, and utility shutoff stands in the bottom 7.6% nationally. Modeled mammography sits in the top 6.7% nationally. On the other side, modeled radon resides in the top 7.0% nationally, modeled binge drinking stands in the top 5.2% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site sits in the bottom 7.0% nationally. Slow internet speeds resides in the top 8.0% nationally, and modeled loud transportation noise stands in the top 9.2% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. ZIP 52002, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 Dubuque, 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 75%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 92%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 70%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 95%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 96%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 98%
8%
Disability
healthier than 91%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 93%
16%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
in the top 0.00%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.00%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 7%
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 ›
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 14.7; chronic-disease standing 74.7 — 60 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,413 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
52001
Iowashares a border
Score 53.03
Closest healthier
52002
Iowashares a border
Score 62.12
Similar health profile
53051
Wisconsin100% similar profile
Score 62.17
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 | 28.9% | 25.6–32.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.8% | 28.1–35.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.5% | 9.5–11.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.6% | 8.4–10.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.7–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.4–7.1 |
| Depression among adults | 18.6% | 15.7–21.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.2% | 8.7–11.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.0% | 31.0–39.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.8% | 26.9–38.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.7% | 7.0–10.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.1% | 4.2–6.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.4% | 77.5–83.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.8% | 76.5–82.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.6% | 85.9–89.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.7% | 67.3–75.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 73.6% | 70.7–76.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.0% | 74.6–86.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.3% | 17.2–23.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.7% | 9.9–13.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.4% | 17.0–24.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.6% | 25.8–35.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.5% | 12.4–16.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.3–15.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.3% | 9.8–12.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.0% | 9.6–12.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.4% | 21.9–29.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.7–8.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.5% | 9.9–13.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.5–3.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.7% | 16.7–22.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 6.6–9.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.1–7.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.4–7.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 4.2–5.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.5% | 24.2–32.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.5% | 3.9–5.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 46.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 88.9% | 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 | 0.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 54.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 21.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 43.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $98,908 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $286,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $932 | $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 | 80.1 yr ± 0.58 | 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 0.58 years of 80.1, 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