ZIP code
52053
in Holy Cross, IowaPopulation 1,148
54.86/ 100
Ranked #9,608 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 30%)
Ranked #273 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 30%)
Ranked #11 of 15 Dubuque, IA ZIPs (bottom 27%)
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
21.6%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
6.6%
in the bottom 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Radon
3.4 pCi/L
in the top 6.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST46thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
1.5 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 4.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS4thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
1.7%
in the bottom 6.4% 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 ›Fatal road crashes
34.8 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
7.2 mi
in the top 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS80thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
34.6%
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS17thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
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 ›Floodplain exposure
3.0%
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS25thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Holy Cross, Iowa (ZIP 52053), in overall standing, comes out in the top 30% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,608th) and the top 30% of Iowa (273rd).
A balanced showing across the data, with a few readings each side: modeled pfas settles in the bottom 2.9% nationally, poverty lands in the bottom 6.4% nationally, and modeled mammography rests in the top 16% nationally. On the other hand, modeled binge drinking settles in the top 2.3% nationally, modeled radon lands in the top 6.1% nationally, and walkability rests in the bottom 4.5% nationally. Fatal road crashes settles in the top 9.7% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility lands at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. Distance to a community health center rests in the top 16% nationally. Recreation settles at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs.
Defined simply, for reference, pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. 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 healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 52039, 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 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 69%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 60%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 61%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
Disability
healthier than 66%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 47%
16%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 28%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 14%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 81%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 85%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 97%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 20%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 93%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 43%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 7%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 29%
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
52039
Iowashares a border
Score 57.87
Closest healthier
52045
Iowashares a border
Score 59.83
Similar health profile
16260
Pennsylvania97% similar profile
Score 54.05
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 | 28.2% | 25.5–30.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.0% | 29.8–36.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.2% | 8.4–10.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.7–8.4 |
| Depression among adults | 19.9% | 17.3–22.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.0% | 9.6–12.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.6% | 31.3–37.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.1% | 30.7–41.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.2% | 7.6–11.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.5% | 5.4–7.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.6% | 76.1–81.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.6% | 74.5–80.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.3% | 82.5–86.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.8% | 60.6–68.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.3% | 64.4–70.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.2% | 73.6–83.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 21.6% | 18.6–24.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.9% | 13.7–18.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.5% | 21.2–28.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.9% | 28.4–37.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.6% | 15.5–19.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.7–18.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.9% | 11.5–14.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 12.2–15.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.5% | 25.2–31.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.7–8.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.1% | 11.4–14.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.4% | 19.5–25.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.1% | 9.5–12.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.2% | 7.8–10.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.2–9.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.5–7.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.9% | 27.1–34.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.7 |
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 | 6.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 15.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.2% | 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 | 59.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 25.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 48.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $83,000 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $251,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $682 | $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 | 82.5 yr ± 1.00 | 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 1.00 years of 82.5, 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