ZIP code
52221
in Guernsey, IowaPopulation 332
50.65/ 100
Ranked #15,334 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 48%)
Ranked #605 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 34%)
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.
PFAS in drinking water
4.6%
in the bottom 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & 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
3.1 pCi/L
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST32ndUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Fiber broadband
96.6%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST74thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
19.2 mi
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
15.6%
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST75thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
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 ›Distance to an emergency room
14.9 mi
in the top 11.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
10.3%
in the top 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
8.8%
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
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 ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both modeled radon and modeled groundwater arsenic.
See the full radon & arsenic analysis →
The read
Judged by its overall standing, Guernsey, Iowa (ZIP 52221) sits in the top 48% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,334th) and the bottom 34% of Iowa (605th).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: modeled pfas lands in the bottom 0.9% nationally. Unemployment rests at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Fiber broadband settles in the top 8.7% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise lands at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Pulling the other way, modeled radon rests in the top 8.8% nationally, and distance to a community health center settles in the top 8.7% nationally. Modeled arsenic lands in the top 9.4% nationally, and distance to an emergency room rests in the top 11.2% nationally. Modeled binge drinking settles in the top 11.9% nationally, and energy burden lands in the top 10.3% nationally.
Put plainly, 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. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 50171, about 1.0 miles away.
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 78%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 43%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 58%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 54%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 35%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 83%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 67%
8%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 59%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 22%
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
52211
Iowashares a border
Score 45.77
Closest healthier
50171
Iowaabout 1.0 mi away
Score 52.80
Similar health profile
69141
Nebraska98% similar profile
Score 54.80
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 | 30.3% | 26.9–33.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.7% | 34.7–42.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–9.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.0–9.5 |
| Depression among adults | 20.1% | 17.0–23.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.5% | 10.8–14.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.0% | 34.0–42.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.3% | 34.0–48.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.3% | 10.0–14.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.2% | 5.8–8.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.8% | 78.1–83.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.9% | 74.4–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.6% | 82.6–86.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.1% | 59.2–68.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.1% | 60.5–67.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.4% | 68.9–82.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.9% | 15.9–21.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.7% | 13.2–18.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.3% | 22.8–31.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.7% | 26.1–37.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.3% | 16.4–22.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.6% | 13.8–17.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.7% | 11.9–15.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.6% | 11.8–15.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.8% | 27.5–36.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.3% | 9.0–11.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.9% | 6.8–9.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.1% | 12.9–17.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.2–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.2% | 20.7–28.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.1% | 9.1–13.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 7.6–11.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.0–10.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.7% | 27.2–36.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 5.0–6.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 10.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 14.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 55.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 21.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 29.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $86,473 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $228,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $1,667 | $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 | 79.6 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 79.6, 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