ZIP code
53523
in Cambridge, WisconsinPopulation 5,074
58.86/ 100
Ranked #5,696 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 18%)
Ranked #129 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #32 of 67 Madison, WI ZIPs (top 48%)
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.
Utility shut-off threat
4.5%
in the bottom 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST24thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Elder-services access
0.19 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Short sleep
29.5%
in the bottom 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.19 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Loneliness
28.4%
in the bottom 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST20thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
72.3%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST81stUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$102,188
in the top 18% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›The read
Judged by its overall standing, Cambridge, Wisconsin (ZIP 53523) sits in the top 18% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,696th) and the top 17% of Wisconsin (129th).
The measures that most flatter this area set the tone for the rest: modeled utility shutoff sits in the bottom 7.6% nationally, elder services stands in the top 7.6% nationally, and modeled short sleep resides in the bottom 7.5% nationally. Grocery sits in the top 8.1% nationally, modeled loneliness stands in the bottom 9.6% nationally, and modeled transportation resides in the bottom 11.1% nationally. Modeled colon screening sits in the top 9.5% nationally, and food insecurity stands in the bottom 12.8% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity resides in the bottom 13.3% nationally, and cognitive disability sits in the bottom 12.1% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 53531, 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 64%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 82%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 63%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 88%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 75%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 23%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 64%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 62%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 89%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 75%
8%
Disability
healthier than 74%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 25%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 91%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 82%
8%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 56%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 59%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 24%
21%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 32%
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 82.4 ± 1.9 years. A median household income of $102,188 predicts 80.2 years — 2.2 years above.
Ranked #805 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
53531
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 60.01
Closest healthier
53551
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 61.52
Similar health profile
20758
Maryland99% similar profile
Score 64.81
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 | 28.3% | 26.4–30.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.6% | 31.4–36.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.1% | 9.5–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.6% | 9.7–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.0% | 6.4–7.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.5 |
| Depression among adults | 23.4% | 21.3–25.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.4% | 10.3–12.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.2% | 32.9–38.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.4% | 34.9–42.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.1% | 6.9–9.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.1% | 5.2–7.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.9% | 77.9–82.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.0% | 75.9–80.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.6% | 87.5–89.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.3% | 69.4–75.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.8% | 68.6–72.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.7% | 75.4–83.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.1% | 16.3–20.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.7% | 11.1–14.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.3% | 22.6–28.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 29.5% | 26.3–32.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.3% | 14.5–18.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.2% | 12.9–15.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.2% | 11.9–14.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.3% | 10.1–12.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.1% | 25.6–31.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.7–8.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.5% | 11.9–15.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 17.8% | 15.8–20.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.0% | 7.7–10.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 8.1–11.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.6–8.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–6.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.4% | 25.5–31.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.5% | 3.9–5.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (3.6–16.0%) n=765 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.7% (2.4–14.9%) n=764 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (2.3–12.6%) n=768 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 41.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.8% (14.7–29.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 80.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.3% (62.1–91.8%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.7%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.3–6.8%) n=768 |
| Single-parent households | 59.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 59.0% (47.7–72.8%) n=762 |
| Population 65+ | 21.3% | 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 | $102,188 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $345,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $1,211 | $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 | 82.4 yr ± 0.98 | 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 0.98 years of 82.4, 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