ZIP code
53522
in Browntown, WisconsinPopulation 943
48.52/ 100
Ranked #18,285 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 43%)
Ranked #629 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (bottom 18%)
Ranked #65 of 67 Madison, WI ZIPs (bottom 3.0%)
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.
Civic-institution access
0.98 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Distance to a community health center
27.4 mi
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.1 pCi/L
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
10.5%
in the bottom 10.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
42.9%
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
2.3%
in the top 13.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS86thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
0.46%
in the bottom 14.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS15thDefinition & 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 ›Unemployment rate
5.9%
in the top 28% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS72ndDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›The read
Browntown, Wisconsin (ZIP 53522), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 43% nationally (18,285th) and the bottom 18% of Wisconsin (629th).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: civic rests in the top 4.3% nationally, modeled pfas settles in the bottom 10.2% nationally, and modeled mammography lands in the top 10.6% nationally. Modeled loneliness rests in the bottom 13.3% nationally, and transportation noise settles in the bottom 14.6% nationally. Pulling the other way, distance to a community health center lands in the top 4.8% nationally, and modeled radon rests in the top 8.7% nationally. Fiber broadband settles at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled obesity lands in the top 9.4% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure rests in the top 13.6% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, 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. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 53504, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 74%
13%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 43%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 57%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 33%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 29%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 5%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 20%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 29%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 38%
8%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 13%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the bottom 0.5%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 47%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 52%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 2%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 15%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the bottom 0.00%
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
53504
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 51.29
Closest healthier
53566
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 54.62
Similar health profile
54840
Wisconsin96% similar profile
Score 49.55
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 | 31.7% | 28.3–35.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.4% | 35.3–43.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.8% | 8.9–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.1% | 9.9–12.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.3–10.0 |
| Depression among adults | 23.6% | 20.3–27.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.3% | 11.5–15.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.1% | 34.9–43.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.9% | 36.0–50.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.7% | 10.3–15.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.0% | 6.5–9.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.2% | 77.2–82.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.3% | 75.1–81.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.3% | 85.6–88.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.1% | 63.3–72.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.8% | 60.4–67.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.1% | 73.3–85.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.3% | 14.5–20.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.9% | 14.1–19.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.5% | 25.9–35.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.7% | 28.9–40.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.7% | 17.7–23.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.0–17.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.3% | 13.3–17.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.9% | 12.1–15.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.8% | 29.4–38.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.6–9.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.0% | 7.9–10.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.4% | 14.0–19.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.8–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.5–5.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.1% | 17.1–23.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.3% | 10.2–14.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.5% | 11.2–16.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 8.0–11.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.9% | 24.7–33.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.8–6.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (3.6–16.0%) n=765 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.7% (2.4–14.9%) n=764 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (2.3–12.6%) n=768 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 12.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 84.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 18.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.8% (14.7–29.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 83.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.3% (62.1–91.8%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.7%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.3–6.8%) n=768 |
| Single-parent households | 62.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 59.0% (47.7–72.8%) n=762 |
| Population 65+ | 21.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (13.9–32.2%) n=768 |
| Median age | 48.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.2 yr (36.2–56.1) n=765 |
| Median household income | $81,528 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $205,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $950 | $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 | 82.8 yr ± 1.28 | 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 1.28 years of 82.8, 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