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ZIP code

52251

in Ladora, IowaPopulation 544

ZipVitals Score
How is the ZipVitals Score calculated? →

48.26/ 100

Ranked #18,603 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 42%)

Ranked #769 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 17%)

Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.

Robust across all 9 health domains

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

6.5%

in the bottom 2.7% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST7th
US3rd
Definition & 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 ›

Loud transportation noise

3.0%

in the top 3.8% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST98th
US96th
Definition & source ›

The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.

Full methodology ›

Radon

3.3 pCi/L

in the top 6.6% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST44th
US93rd
Definition & 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 ›

Obesity

46.3%

in the top 2.8% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST99th
US97th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.

Full methodology ›

Fiber broadband

97.8%

in the top 7.0% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST79th
US93rd
Definition & source ›

The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.

Full methodology ›

Distance to a community health center

18.9 mi

in the top 8.9% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST74th
US91st
Definition & 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 ›

Transportation noise

7.7%

in the top 13.0% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST91st
US87th
Definition & 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 ›

Air-toxics cancer risk

20 per million

in the bottom 25% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST1st
US25th
Definition & 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

On balance, and by the composite measure, Ladora, Iowa (ZIP 52251) ranks in the bottom 42% nationally (18,603rd) and the bottom 17% of Iowa (769th).

continue reading

Strengths and concerns sit side by side across the measures here: modeled pfas sits in the bottom 2.7% nationally, and fiber broadband rests in the top 7.0% nationally. Households without a vehicle is at the national minimum, shared with about 16% of ZIPs. Modeled short sleep stands in the bottom 13.5% nationally. On the other hand, modeled loud transportation noise settles in the top 3.8% nationally, radon lies in the top 6.6% nationally, and obesity resides in the top 2.8% nationally. Distance to a community health center lands in the top 8.9% nationally, modeled arsenic registers in the top 12.9% nationally, and modeled transportation noise sits in the top 13.0% nationally.

In plainer 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. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 52208, 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.

Compare within

Lifting this score

Preventive Care

healthier than 74%

13%

Mental Health

healthier than 65%

8%

About typical

Disability

healthier than 44%

7%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 52%

5%

Holding it back

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 29%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 31%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 28%

14%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 38%

11%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 9%

5%

Nothing measured is lifting this score.

About typical

Preventive Care

healthier than 49%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 48%

11%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 41%

5%

Holding it back

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 9%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 34%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 39%

14%

Mental Health

healthier than 23%

8%

Disability

healthier than 17%

7%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 24%

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.

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
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Arthritis among adults31.9%28.3–35.9
High blood pressure among adults40.6%36.2–45.3
Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults10.4%9.5–11.5
Current asthma among adults10.4%9.2–11.8
Coronary heart disease among adults8.3%7.3–9.4
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults9.1%7.9–10.6
Depression among adults20.9%17.8–24.5
Diagnosed diabetes among adults13.8%11.8–16.0
High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened40.2%35.7–45.0
Obesity among adults46.3%38.5–54.5
Stroke among adults4.2%3.8–4.7
All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years11.9%9.5–14.5
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years7.1%5.8–8.9
Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure81.1%78.2–83.8
Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults79.9%76.6–83.0
Cholesterol screening among adults86.7%84.9–88.3
Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years67.2%62.2–71.9
Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults67.6%64.1–71.0
Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years76.7%69.2–83.3
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Binge drinking among adults18.4%15.4–21.8
Current cigarette smoking among adults17.9%15.0–21.2
No leisure-time physical activity among adults28.5%23.8–33.9
Short sleep duration among adults30.8%25.1–36.8
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults21.0%17.9–24.5
Frequent mental distress among adults16.7%14.7–19.0
Frequent physical distress among adults15.1%13.2–17.3
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Cognitive disability among adults14.3%12.4–16.4
Any disability among adults32.0%27.6–36.9
Hearing disability among adults9.2%8.1–10.4
Independent living disability among adults8.5%7.4–9.7
Mobility disability among adults16.3%14.0–18.9
Self-care disability among adults4.3%3.7–4.9
Vision disability among adults5.0%4.4–5.7
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Lack of social and emotional support among adults23.7%20.2–27.7
Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults12.4%10.2–14.9
Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults11.0%9.1–13.2
Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults9.2%7.7–10.9
Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults6.7%5.8–7.8
Loneliness among adults31.4%26.7–36.7
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults6.6%5.6–7.6
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)IA median (p10–p90)
Poverty rate5.1%10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,3648.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931
Uninsured 18–645.1%9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,2865.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931
No HS diploma (25+)6.8%7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,5055.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932
Bachelor's or higher (25+)8.0%23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,50520.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932
Unemployment rate (16+)1.9%3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,2742.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932
Households without a vehicle0.0%3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,3222.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931
Broadband subscription91.3%89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,32288.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931
Housing cost burden (≥30% income)18.8%23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,32218.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931
Homeownership rate91.3%78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,32282.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931
Crowded housing (>1 per room)0.0%1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,3220.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931
Foreign-born population0.2%2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,5531.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932
Single-parent households29.6%53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,08756.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928
Population 65+13.2%19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,55320.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932
Median age39.2 yr42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,29242.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931
Median household income$87,708$72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318$73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911
Median home value$120,300$222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049$161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892
Median gross rent$567$1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670$825 ($614–$1,113) n=771
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)IA median (p10–p90)
Life expectancy at birth78.1 yr ± 1.0878.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,30880.0 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 1.08 years of 78.1, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.

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