ZIP code
52231
in Harper, IowaPopulation 539
50.35/ 100
Ranked #15,770 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 49%)
Ranked #631 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 32%)
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 0.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Crowded housing
9.6%
in the top 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
96.4%
in the top 6.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
2.2%
in the bottom 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Walkability
2.3 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 9.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Distance to an emergency room
16.1 mi
in the top 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
0.18%
in the bottom 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST20thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
14.9%
in the top 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST72ndUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
5.1%
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Home broadband subscription
77.2%
in the bottom 12.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, Harper, Iowa (ZIP 52231) comes out in the top 49% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,770th) and the bottom 32% of Iowa (631st).
The profile opens balanced, with readings on either hand: modeled pfas resides in the bottom 0.8% nationally, homeownership rests in the top 6.9% nationally, and poverty lies in the bottom 7.4% nationally. Modeled transportation noise sits in the bottom 10.0% nationally. By contrast, crowded housing settles in the top 4.9% nationally, and modeled radon registers in the top 10.4% nationally. Walkability stands in the bottom 9.5% nationally, and distance to an emergency room lands in the top 9.6% nationally. Modeled arsenic is in the top 10.0% nationally, and energy burden resides in the top 8.3% nationally.
In plain terms, 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. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 52248, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 77%
13%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 60%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 60%
8%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 48%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 85%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 9%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Disability
healthier than 32%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
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
52248
Iowashares a border
Score 51.02
Closest healthier
52316
Iowaabout 3.7 mi away
Score 50.45
Similar health profile
52583
Iowa93% similar profile
Score 49.20
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 | 31.1% | 27.4–34.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.1% | 34.8–43.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.2% | 9.1–11.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.0–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.8% | 6.9–8.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.7% | 7.4–10.2 |
| Depression among adults | 21.6% | 18.2–25.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.0% | 11.1–15.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.6% | 33.2–42.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.2% | 33.4–49.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.7% | 9.4–14.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.3–8.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.0% | 77.1–82.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.1% | 74.6–81.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.5% | 83.4–87.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.3% | 67.3–77.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.6% | 64.0–71.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.2% | 70.9–84.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.9% | 15.7–22.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.8% | 14.7–21.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.6% | 22.8–33.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.7% | 25.6–38.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.6% | 16.7–23.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.8% | 14.8–19.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.5% | 12.5–16.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.2–16.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.0% | 26.6–36.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–9.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.1–9.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.2% | 12.8–17.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.0–5.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.6% | 20.2–28.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.1% | 9.6–14.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.1% | 8.8–13.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.5–11.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.7–7.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.3% | 28.0–38.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.5–7.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 2.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 0.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 77.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 18.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 96.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 9.6% | 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 | 43.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 21.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 39.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $90,893 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $242,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $1,125 | $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 | 80.4 yr ± 1.67 | 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 1.67 years of 80.4, 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