ZIP code
52162
in Postville, IowaPopulation 3,744
47.22/ 100
Ranked #19,892 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 38%)
Ranked #813 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 11.9%)
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
3.8 pCi/L
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST68thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Grocery access
0.29 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Child-care access
0.57 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Crowded housing
7.2%
in the top 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Obesity
43.8%
in the top 6.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
19.3%
in the top 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST39thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
7.5%
in the top 13.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
62.4%
in the bottom 18% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS18thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
19.8%
in the top 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS81stDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
13.7%
in the top 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›The read
Postville, Iowa (ZIP 52162), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 38% nationally (19,892nd) and the bottom 11.9% of Iowa (813th).
A demanding profile, and several measures drive it: modeled radon settles in the top 3.1% nationally, crowded housing lands in the top 8.0% nationally, and modeled obesity rests in the top 6.7% nationally. Modeled binge drinking settles in the top 9.3% nationally, distance to a community health center lands in the top 12.0% nationally, and modeled transportation noise rests in the top 13.4% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility settles at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. On the stronger side, grocery lands in the top 3.9% nationally, and childcare rests in the top 7.9% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site settles in the top 12.0% nationally.
Defined simply, for reference, 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. 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 52072, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 57%
21%
Disability
healthier than 40%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 19%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 12%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 88%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 2%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 6%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Disability
healthier than 13%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 33%
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
52072
Iowashares a border
Score 51.28
Closest healthier
52101
Iowashares a border
Score 58.53
Similar health profile
57725
South Dakota91% similar profile
Score 49.17
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 | 26.5% | 24.1–28.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.2% | 33.0–39.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.1% | 7.4–8.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.7% | 8.8–10.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.0% | 7.0–9.0 |
| Depression among adults | 19.6% | 17.1–22.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.8% | 11.4–14.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.2% | 32.0–38.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.8% | 37.3–49.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.0% | 10.0–14.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.7% | 11.5–16.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.3% | 75.1–79.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.2% | 72.0–78.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.9% | 80.0–83.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.2% | 60.1–68.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.2% | 56.9–63.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.6% | 68.1–80.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.3% | 16.6–22.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.9% | 14.8–19.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.8% | 26.9–35.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.9% | 30.9–41.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.8% | 20.3–25.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.2% | 15.5–19.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.6% | 13.1–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.8% | 14.1–17.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.5% | 28.1–35.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.5–9.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.0% | 8.0–10.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.2% | 13.4–17.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–4.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.1% | 23.0–29.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.5% | 16.0–21.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.4% | 13.3–17.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.1% | 12.2–16.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 8.4–10.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.9% | 28.9–37.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.0% | 7.9–10.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 19.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 23.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 15.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 62.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 7.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 26.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 44.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 13.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 29.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $64,125 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $133,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $847 | $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 | 83.4 yr ± 1.14 | 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 1.14 years of 83.4, 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