ZIP code
52501
in Ottumwa, IowaPopulation 30,371
46.75/ 100
Ranked #20,459 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #835 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 9.5%)
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.
Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Transit access
3.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.099 per 1,000 residents
in the top 10.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
2.2%
in the top 14.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS86thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
112 units
in the top 17% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS83rdDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
65.9%
in the bottom 23% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS23rdDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
9.4%
in the top 28% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS72ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
17.5%
in the top 28% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS72ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Radon
2.3 pCi/L
in the top 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS75thDefinition & 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 ›The read
By the composite measure, Ottumwa, Iowa (ZIP 52501) sits in the bottom 36% nationally (20,459th) and the bottom 9.5% of Iowa (835th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: distance to an emergency room settles at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Transit stands in the top 8.9% nationally, and mental-health providers is in the top 10.9% nationally. Distance to a community health center rests at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Distance to a nursing home sits at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Outpatient registers in the top 16% nationally. Working the other way, modeled expected annual loss lands in the top 5.2% nationally, and disaster risk resides in the top 6.6% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure lies in the top 14.1% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility settles at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. ZIP 52530, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
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
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 44%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 48%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 57%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 22%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 33%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 72%
14%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 37%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 12%
8%
Disability
healthier than 7%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
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 ›
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.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 77.2 ± 1.2 years. The 50 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 79.7 years — 2.6 years below them.
Ranked #1,996 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
52530
Iowashares a border
Score 52.02
Closest healthier
52531
Iowashares a border
Score 52.40
Similar health profile
42286
Kentucky96% similar profile
Score 42.95
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 | 28.7% | 25.6–31.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.7% | 31.9–39.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.6% | 7.8–9.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.9% | 8.0–9.8 |
| Depression among adults | 20.8% | 17.8–24.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.5% | 11.8–15.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.5% | 33.5–41.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.7% | 35.3–48.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.9% | 13.2–19.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.6% | 9.3–12.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.9% | 76.2–81.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.3% | 73.8–80.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.2% | 80.4–84.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.9% | 59.8–69.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.3% | 55.6–62.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.0% | 68.3–82.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.3% | 15.4–21.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.5% | 16.3–20.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.3% | 27.2–35.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.4% | 31.1–43.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.8% | 20.3–25.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.7% | 15.8–19.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.2% | 13.6–17.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.3% | 14.6–18.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.7% | 29.9–37.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.8–9.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.1% | 14.3–18.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.5–6.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.1% | 21.8–28.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.5% | 15.3–19.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 16.4% | 14.4–18.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.3–14.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.2% | 29.7–39.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.9–10.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 20.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 11.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.0% (0.0–7.2%) n=932 |
| Single-parent households | 48.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.8% (43.7–75.5%) n=928 |
| Population 65+ | 18.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 38.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $63,426 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $122,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $926 | $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 | 77.2 yr ± 0.61 | 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 0.61 years of 77.2, 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