ZIP code
53503
in Arena, WisconsinPopulation 2,057
58.45/ 100
Ranked #6,035 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 19%)
Ranked #141 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (top 18%)
Ranked #36 of 67 Madison, WI ZIPs (bottom 46%)
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.
Nitrate in drinking water
2.6%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS95thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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 ›Binge drinking
20.2%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
6.1%
in the top 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Utility shut-off threat
4.4%
in the bottom 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST20thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
5.2%
in the bottom 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Mammography
80.9%
in the top 7.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST78thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.5%
in the top 11.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS89thDefinition & 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 ›Tooth loss
7.2%
in the bottom 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›The read
Arena, Wisconsin (ZIP 53503), by its overall standing, sits in the top 19% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,035th) and the top 18% of Wisconsin (141st).
The data is generous to this ZIP in several places worth naming: modeled utility shutoff lies in the bottom 6.6% nationally, transportation sits in the bottom 9.9% nationally, and mammography settles in the top 7.1% nationally. Modeled food insecurity registers in the bottom 12.8% nationally, tooth loss stands in the bottom 9.2% nationally, and loneliness lands in the bottom 14.1% nationally. Working the other way, modeled nitrate is in the top 5.3% nationally, and binge drinking resides in the top 5.5% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure rests in the top 6.2% nationally, and modeled loud transportation noise lies in the top 11.4% nationally.
Held up against its neighbors, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined in plain terms, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". Loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 53507, 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 Madison, WI 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 75%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 74%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 65%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 82%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 63%
8%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 46%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 84%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 68%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 66%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
Disability
healthier than 87%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 59%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 15%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 64%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 71%
13%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Disability
healthier than 58%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 38%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 17%
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
53507
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 58.69
Closest healthier
53517
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 62.61
Similar health profile
52253
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 57.38
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 | 26.4% | 23.5–29.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.1% | 27.4–35.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.8% | 8.0–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.2–11.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.3–6.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.0–7.0 |
| Depression among adults | 23.5% | 20.1–27.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.2% | 8.8–11.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.8% | 30.8–39.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.4% | 31.4–46.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.6–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.2% | 5.7–8.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.3% | 4.9–7.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.6% | 74.5–80.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.6% | 72.7–80.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.5% | 85.6–89.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.8% | 66.1–75.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 71.3% | 67.9–74.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.9% | 74.3–86.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.2% | 16.9–23.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.4% | 11.0–16.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.1% | 21.7–30.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.0% | 25.8–38.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.6% | 13.2–18.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.0% | 13.1–17.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.3% | 10.7–14.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.0–13.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.7% | 22.8–30.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.6–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.5% | 9.7–13.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.6–3.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–4.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 18.8% | 15.7–22.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.0% | 7.1–10.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.1–10.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.8% | 6.3–9.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.4–6.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.0% | 24.3–33.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.4% | 3.6–5.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (3.6–16.0%) n=765 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.7% (2.4–14.9%) n=764 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (2.3–12.6%) n=768 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 24.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.8% (14.7–29.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 83.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.3% (62.1–91.8%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.7%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.3–6.8%) n=768 |
| Single-parent households | 58.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 59.0% (47.7–72.8%) n=762 |
| Population 65+ | 19.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (13.9–32.2%) n=768 |
| Median age | 41.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.2 yr (36.2–56.1) n=765 |
| Median household income | $87,361 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $239,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $1,049 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $914 ($696–$1,261) n=706 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 83.0 yr ± 1.30 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 80.4 yr (77.7–83.6) n=712 |
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 1.30 years of 83.0, 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