ZIP code
52208
in Belle Plaine, IowaPopulation 2,877
50.79/ 100
Ranked #15,152 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 47%)
Ranked #591 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #41 of 46 Cedar Rapids, IA ZIPs (bottom 10.9%)
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.
Mental-health provider access
0.34 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health 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 ›Lead in tap water
8.7 ppb
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
US96thDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.2 pCi/L
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST40thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
13.9%
in the top 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Civic-institution access
0.68 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Recreation access
1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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 ›Binge drinking
19.5%
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST44thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
25%
in the top 13.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS87thDefinition & 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 ›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
Judged by its overall standing, Belle Plaine, Iowa (ZIP 52208) sits in the top 47% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,152nd) and the bottom 36% of Iowa (591st).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: mental-health providers rests in the top 1.6% nationally, civic settles in the top 8.0% nationally, and recreation lands in the top 8.6% nationally. Pharmacy rests in the top 11.2% nationally. Pulling the other way, lead in tap water settles in the top 4.4% nationally, and modeled radon lands in the top 7.2% nationally. Modeled transportation noise rests in the top 5.0% nationally, and binge drinking settles in the top 8.3% nationally. Distance to a community health center lands in the top 10.2% nationally, and floodplain exposure rests in the top 13.1% nationally.
Put plainly, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 52249, 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 Cedar Rapids, 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 73%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 72%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 43%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 30%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 28%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 12%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 68%
16%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 44%
8%
Disability
healthier than 43%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 29%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 8%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 34%
5%
Lifting this score
Mental Health
healthier than 67%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 7%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 33%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 36%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Disability
healthier than 16%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 20%
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
52215
Iowashares a border
Score 45.52
Closest healthier
52249
Iowashares a border
Score 52.12
Similar health profile
51640
Iowa95% similar profile
Score 51.69
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% | 27.2–33.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.2% | 34.1–42.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.2% | 9.2–11.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.0–9.5 |
| Depression among adults | 20.4% | 17.3–23.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.2% | 10.6–14.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.5% | 34.4–42.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.1% | 34.8–49.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.7% | 11.4–16.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.5% | 5.2–8.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.4% | 77.6–82.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.0% | 75.6–82.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.7% | 83.7–87.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.8% | 64.6–73.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.1% | 61.9–68.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.3% | 72.0–84.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.5% | 16.4–22.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.7% | 14.0–19.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.2% | 22.0–30.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.8% | 28.4–40.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.2% | 16.4–22.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.2% | 14.3–18.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.1% | 12.3–15.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 11.9–15.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.1% | 26.1–34.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.7–9.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.9% | 6.9–9.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.5% | 12.5–16.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.0–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.6% | 20.1–27.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.2% | 9.1–13.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 7.7–11.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.0–10.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.5–7.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.7% | 26.2–35.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.0% | 5.1–7.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 18.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.0% | 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 | 2.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 69.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 24.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 50.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $74,127 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $120,700 | $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 | 77.4 yr ± 1.11 | 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 1.11 years of 77.4, 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