ZIP code
52155
in Lime Springs, IowaPopulation 1,110
49.55/ 100
Ranked #16,872 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 47%)
Ranked #708 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 23%)
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.
Child-care access
1.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
0 per 100,000 residents per year
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 community health center
36.4 mi
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Outpatient-care access
0.8 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient clinics located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
5.9%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.4 pCi/L
in the top 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST47thUS94thDefinition & 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
19.2%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST36thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
24.1 days/year
in the bottom 21% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS21stDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 24% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS24thDefinition & 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 ›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
Overall, Lime Springs, Iowa (ZIP 52155) lands in the bottom 47% nationally (16,872nd) and the bottom 23% of Iowa (708th).
Where the load on this area runs deepest, the data leads: distance to a community health center sits in the top 2.7% nationally, and modeled energy burden is in the top 3.3% nationally. Modeled radon settles in the top 5.9% nationally, and binge drinking resides in the top 9.8% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility registers at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. Home broadband subscription rests in the bottom 16% nationally. More encouragingly, childcare stands in the top 0.6% nationally, fatal road crashes lies at the national minimum, and outpatient lands in the top 3.0% nationally. Modeled transportation noise sits in the bottom 16% nationally.
A note on the terms: 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. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 52136, just across the boundary, ranks better 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Mental Health
healthier than 73%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 47%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 42%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 58%
13%
Disability
healthier than 53%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 2%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 63%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 43%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Disability
healthier than 35%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 4%
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
50466
Iowashares a border
Score 46.34
Closest healthier
52136
Iowashares a border
Score 52.67
Similar health profile
50048
Iowa99% similar profile
Score 49.93
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 | 30.2% | 26.9–33.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.6% | 33.4–41.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.0% | 9.0–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.4–9.7 |
| Depression among adults | 20.2% | 17.1–23.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.7% | 11.0–14.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.9% | 33.6–42.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.4% | 30.7–46.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.4% | 10.0–15.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.7% | 6.3–9.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.9% | 77.0–82.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.9% | 74.2–81.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.2–87.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.1% | 61.8–72.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.9% | 62.3–69.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.6% | 67.7–82.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.2% | 16.0–22.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.1% | 14.7–19.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.7% | 22.6–31.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.0% | 26.5–39.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.0% | 17.3–23.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.2% | 14.4–18.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.3% | 12.6–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.1% | 12.4–16.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.5% | 26.6–35.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.7–9.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.1–9.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.9% | 12.9–17.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.2–5.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.8% | 20.3–27.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.2% | 10.0–14.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 8.5–12.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 7.7–10.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.3% | 26.5–36.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 10.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.8% | 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 | 79.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 62.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 20.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 44.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $57,917 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $116,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $702 | $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 | 79.5 yr ± 0.98 | 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 0.98 years of 79.5, 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