ZIP code
52777
in Wheatland, IowaPopulation 1,389
47.98/ 100
Ranked #18,942 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 41%)
Ranked #783 of 922 Iowa ZIPs (bottom 15%)
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.
Fiber broadband
99.9%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.3 pCi/L
in the top 7.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST41stUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20.1%
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST60thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
9.1%
in the bottom 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST19thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
36.6%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
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 ›Home broadband subscription
72.5%
in the bottom 7.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST4thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
19.4 mi
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST75thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Poverty rate
3.0%
in the bottom 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
8.9%
in the top 10.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS90thDefinition & 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
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 ›The read
Wheatland, Iowa (ZIP 52777), overall, ranks in the bottom 41% nationally (18,942nd) and the bottom 15% of Iowa (783rd).
Taken together, the data gives a genuinely mixed reading: fiber broadband sits in the top 2.2% nationally, modeled pfas lands in the bottom 7.0% nationally, and poverty lies in the bottom 9.9% nationally. On the other side, modeled radon stands in the top 7.1% nationally, modeled binge drinking rests in the top 5.8% nationally, and floodplain exposure registers in the top 7.3% nationally. Home broadband subscription resides in the bottom 7.7% nationally, and distance to a community health center settles in the top 8.6% nationally. Modeled transportation noise is in the top 10.3% nationally, and arsenic sits in the top 13.0% nationally.
Defined simply, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. 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. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. ZIP 52254, just across the boundary, comes out 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 65%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 67%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Disability
healthier than 47%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 35%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 19%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 10%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 53%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 28%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 29%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 27%
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
52254
Iowashares a border
Score 49.89
Closest healthier
52255
Iowashares a border
Score 49.33
Similar health profile
51557
Iowa97% similar profile
Score 49.28
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 | 32.1% | 28.7–35.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.9% | 34.8–42.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.4% | 9.4–11.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.1 |
| Depression among adults | 20.7% | 17.7–23.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.8% | 11.0–14.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.1% | 33.9–42.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.9% | 32.0–45.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.7% | 9.4–14.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.8% | 5.6–8.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.1% | 77.4–82.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.2% | 74.8–81.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.8% | 82.7–86.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.0% | 63.3–72.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.0% | 62.7–69.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.2% | 69.9–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.1% | 16.9–23.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.2% | 13.7–19.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.3% | 22.7–32.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.9% | 26.4–37.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.3% | 16.5–22.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.6% | 14.6–18.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.3% | 12.5–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.3–16.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.4% | 27.2–35.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.3–9.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.7% | 13.4–18.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.5–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.3–5.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.2% | 19.0–25.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.9% | 9.9–14.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 8.9–12.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.4–10.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.0–7.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.8% | 27.4–36.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.6–7.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (2.7–19.1%) n=931 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.4% (0.7–14.7%) n=931 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.1% (1.6–12.9%) n=932 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.9% (9.8–36.8%) n=932 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–6.7%) n=932 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.4% (0.0–7.9%) n=931 |
| Broadband subscription | 72.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.5% (77.9–95.1%) n=931 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.2% (9.0–28.8%) n=931 |
| Homeownership rate | 88.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (66.8–93.5%) n=931 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–3.3%) n=931 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.3% | 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+ | 20.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.2% (12.7–31.0%) n=932 |
| Median age | 36.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.7 yr (34.1–54.7) n=931 |
| Median household income | $60,250 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,848 ($55,055–$102,762) n=911 |
| Median home value | $158,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $161,100 ($93,820–$278,170) n=892 |
| Median gross rent | $791 | $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 | 78.5 yr ± 1.04 | 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 1.04 years of 78.5, 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