ZIP code
54421
in Colby, WisconsinPopulation 3,468
45.40/ 100
Ranked #21,988 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 31%)
Ranked #724 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (bottom 5.2%)
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
0.5 mi
in the bottom 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
10.8%
in the top 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Loud transportation noise
1.8%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Independent-living disability
11.0%
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
17.5%
in the top 28% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS72ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
12.8%
in the top 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS81stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
24.2%
in the top 26% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS74thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
8.9%
in the top 33% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS67thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
12.5%
in the top 33% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS67thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, Colby, Wisconsin (ZIP 54421) stands in the bottom 31% nationally (21,988th) and the bottom 5.2% of Wisconsin (724th).
A profile of give and take, with clear readings each way: modeled humid heat resides in the bottom 11.9% nationally, and recreation stands in the top 13.1% nationally. Distance to a nursing home sits at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Outer-floodplain exposure resides at the national minimum, shared with about 36% of ZIPs. On the other side, distance to a Superfund site stands in the bottom 5.6% nationally, modeled transportation noise sits in the top 7.6% nationally, and modeled loud transportation noise resides in the top 8.7% nationally. Walkability stands in the bottom 14.7% nationally, distance to an emergency room sits in the top 16% nationally, and modeled fine-particle resides in the top 17% nationally.
For clarity, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. ZIP 54405, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 44%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 22%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 18%
11%
Disability
healthier than 24%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 32%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Disability
healthier than 5%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
54405
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 46.18
Closest healthier
54411
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 50.14
Similar health profile
15865
Pennsylvania99% similar profile
Score 45.26
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 | 29.5% | 27.3–31.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.7% | 33.1–38.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.0% | 8.4–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.3% | 10.3–12.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.7% | 8.0–9.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Depression among adults | 23.6% | 21.3–26.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.0% | 11.7–14.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.0% | 34.3–40.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.7% | 34.3–43.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.4% | 10.6–14.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.8% | 11.1–14.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.2% | 76.1–80.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.2% | 72.4–77.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.7% | 81.0–84.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.8% | 63.4–70.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 58.6% | 55.7–61.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.9% | 70.7–80.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.5% | 15.4–19.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.6% | 16.6–20.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 35.7% | 32.1–39.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.5% | 28.6–36.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 24.2% | 21.8–26.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.1% | 15.6–18.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.9–18.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.6% | 15.0–18.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.9% | 33.7–40.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.5–10.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.0% | 10.0–12.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.1% | 16.3–20.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.6–5.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.9–7.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.2% | 19.6–24.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.5% | 15.4–19.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 19.0% | 16.7–21.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–14.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–9.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.4% | 28.0–34.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.2–7.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (3.6–16.0%) n=765 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 29.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.7% (2.4–14.9%) n=764 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 17.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (2.3–12.6%) n=768 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 13.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.8% (14.7–29.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 68.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.3% (62.1–91.8%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.7%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 8.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.3–6.8%) n=768 |
| Single-parent households | 50.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 59.0% (47.7–72.8%) n=762 |
| Population 65+ | 17.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (13.9–32.2%) n=768 |
| Median age | 36.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.2 yr (36.2–56.1) n=765 |
| Median household income | $60,820 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $194,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $844 | $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 | 79.4 yr ± 0.86 | 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 0.86 years of 79.4, 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