ZIP code
54403
in Wausau, WisconsinPopulation 24,950
53.91/ 100
Ranked #10,812 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 34%)
Ranked #371 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (top 49%)
Ranked #10 of 15 Wausau, WI ZIPs (bottom 33%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.3 pCi/L
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.16 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
326 units
in the top 7.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
5.8 ppb
in the top 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
US92ndDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
28.3%
in the bottom 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST19thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
10.0%
in the top 15.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS85thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
6.0%
in the top 27% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS73rdDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 54403, one of several in Wausau, Wisconsin, in overall standing, comes out in the top 34% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,812th) and the top 49% of Wisconsin (371st).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: mental-health providers lands in the top 5.9% nationally, subsidized affordable housing rests in the top 7.5% nationally, and modeled loneliness settles in the bottom 9.0% nationally. Modeled short sleep lands in the bottom 11.0% nationally. Distance to a community health center rests at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Pulling the other way, distance to a Superfund site settles at the national minimum, and modeled expected annual loss lands in the top 2.9% nationally. Modeled radon rests in the top 6.6% nationally, and disaster risk settles in the top 5.2% nationally. Lead in tap water lands in the top 8.1% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 54401, 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 Wausau, 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 63%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 77%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 64%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 87%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 72%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 68%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Disability
healthier than 47%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 29%
13%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 71%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 79%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 36%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 7%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Disability
healthier than 29%
7%
“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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 5.7 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 62.9 — 57 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,126 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
54401
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 54.09
Closest healthier
54408
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 54.07
Similar health profile
15065
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 52.37
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 | 27.3% | 24.7–30.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.9% | 31.7–38.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.0% | 8.2–9.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.3–11.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–7.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–7.9 |
| Depression among adults | 24.4% | 21.5–27.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.2% | 9.8–12.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.8% | 33.6–40.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.2% | 32.5–42.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.1% | 8.1–12.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.9% | 6.8–9.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.1% | 74.4–79.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.0% | 74.1–80.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.4% | 83.8–87.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.5% | 65.3–73.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.8% | 64.8–70.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.2% | 72.1–83.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.4% | 15.8–21.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.9% | 12.9–17.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.8% | 25.2–32.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.3% | 26.2–34.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.0% | 16.7–21.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.2% | 13.5–17.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.5% | 11.9–15.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.2% | 11.7–14.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.1% | 27.6–34.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.5–9.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.9% | 12.2–15.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.8% | 17.3–22.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.8% | 11.1–14.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.1% | 12.3–16.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.4–11.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.2–8.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.3% | 24.7–32.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 5.0–6.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (3.6–16.0%) n=765 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.7% (2.4–14.9%) n=764 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (2.3–12.6%) n=768 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 34.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.8% (14.7–29.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.3% (62.1–91.8%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.7%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.3–6.8%) n=768 |
| Single-parent households | 52.1% | 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 | 39.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.2 yr (36.2–56.1) n=765 |
| Median household income | $69,030 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $192,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $1,009 | $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 | 79.1 yr ± 0.71 | 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 0.71 years of 79.1, 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