ZIP code
52302
in Marion, IowaPopulation 42,706
61.91/ 100
Ranked #3,568 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 11.2%)
Ranked #42 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (top 4.6%)
Ranked #5 of 46 Cedar Rapids, IA ZIPs (top 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.
Lithium in drinking water
110 µg/L
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
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 ›Binge drinking
21%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 6.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS94thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
6.5 ppb
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
US93rdDefinition & 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
331 units
in the top 7.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Mammography
81.6%
in the top 4.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
14.2%
in the bottom 10.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
29.7%
in the bottom 10.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, Marion, Iowa (ZIP 52302) ranks in the top 11.2% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,568th) and the top 4.6% of Iowa (42nd).
Strengths and concerns sit side by side across the measures here: subsidized affordable housing registers in the top 7.4% nationally, and modeled mammography sits in the top 4.9% nationally. Modeled short sleep rests in the bottom 11.0% nationally, and housing insecurity is in the bottom 12.3% nationally. On the other hand, lithium in drinking water stands in the top 1.9% nationally, modeled binge drinking settles in the top 3.3% nationally, and modeled disaster risk lies in the top 4.6% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss resides in the top 6.1% nationally, lead in tap water lands in the top 6.8% nationally, and modeled industrial-pollution burden registers in the top 7.2% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 52328, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 69%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 84%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 64%
8%
Disability
healthier than 87%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 94%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 92%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 80%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 93%
11%
Disability
healthier than 93%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 72%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 20%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 84%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 93%
11%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
“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 ›
Findings that name this ZIP
One of our published findings lists this ZIP code. Each finding compares one published measure against a stated benchmark, and names only the ZIP codes whose estimates are reliable enough to rank. See all surprising findings.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 80.8 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $87,983 predicts 79.6 years — 1.2 years above.
Ranked #1,402 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
52202
Iowashares a border
Score 55.58
Closest healthier
52328
Iowashares a border
Score 64.74
Similar health profile
55803
Minnesota99% similar profile
Score 60.66
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 | 25.9% | 23.5–28.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.7% | 27.0–32.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.0% | 8.2–9.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 9.1–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.4 |
| Depression among adults | 22.9% | 20.2–25.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.8% | 30.8–36.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.8% | 29.8–37.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.2% | 5.8–8.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.4% | 4.6–6.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.9% | 75.1–80.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.2% | 75.4–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.2% | 84.6–87.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.4% | 65.4–73.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 72.0% | 69.2–74.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.6% | 76.0–86.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 21.0% | 18.3–23.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.1% | 10.6–13.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.2% | 17.6–22.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.3% | 26.4–34.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.2% | 12.5–15.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.4% | 13.8–17.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.3% | 10.1–12.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.9% | 10.6–13.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.4% | 22.7–28.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–6.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–3.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.0% | 20.3–26.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.2% | 7.9–10.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.0–8.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.6% | 6.5–8.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.7–6.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.1% | 28.6–35.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.6–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 38.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 77.4% | 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 | 3.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 49.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 18.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 40.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $87,983 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $244,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $962 | $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 | 80.8 yr ± 0.57 | 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 0.57 years of 80.8, 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