ZIP code
54494
in Wisconsin Rapids, WisconsinPopulation 27,696
54.58/ 100
Ranked #9,970 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 31%)
Ranked #324 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (top 42%)
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.
Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
69.3%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Lead in tap water
7.3 ppb
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
US94thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Fiber broadband
96.1%
in the top 9.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
0.67%
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS84thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Physician access
0.95 per 1,000 residents
in the top 21% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS79thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices 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 ›The read
On the composite measure, ZIP 54494, one of several in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin stands in the top 31% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,970th) and the top 42% of Wisconsin (324th).
The bright spots in the data define much of the story here: distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled loneliness sits in the bottom 9.0% nationally, and fiber broadband resides in the top 9.3% nationally. Distance to a community health center stands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled utility shutoff sits in the bottom 12.2% nationally, and mammography resides in the top 10.1% nationally. On the other side, modeled expected annual loss stands in the top 3.1% nationally, modeled pfas sits in the top 4.7% nationally, and lead in tap water resides in the top 5.8% nationally. Modeled disaster risk stands in the top 6.9% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. 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. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. ZIP 54467, 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 82%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 81%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 67%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 77%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 48%
11%
Disability
healthier than 56%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 65%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 63%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 42%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 37%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
“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
2 of our published findings list 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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 76.6 ± 1.9 years. A median household income of $72,595 predicts 78.8 years — 2.2 years below.
Ranked #2,956 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 76.6 ± 1.9 years. The 44 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.7 years — 4.0 years below them.
Ranked #3,030 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
54457
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 51.98
Closest healthier
54467
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 58.46
Similar health profile
53406
Wisconsin98% similar profile
Score 55.79
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 | 30.8% | 27.9–33.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.2% | 32.9–39.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.1% | 9.2–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.8–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.4 |
| Depression among adults | 22.5% | 19.7–25.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.6% | 11.1–14.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.4% | 33.1–39.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.3% | 34.4–44.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.4% | 8.4–12.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.5% | 6.4–8.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.2% | 77.7–82.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.5% | 75.6–81.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.4% | 86.0–88.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.9% | 67.0–74.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.8% | 62.6–68.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.2% | 74.4–84.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.9% | 16.3–21.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.7% | 12.8–16.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.8% | 24.2–31.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.2% | 26.9–35.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.4% | 16.2–20.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.3% | 13.6–16.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.5–15.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.5–14.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.7% | 28.2–34.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.2% | 13.4–16.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.3–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.0% | 17.4–22.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.4–12.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.4% | 9.8–13.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.2–9.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.3% | 24.7–31.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.9% | 4.3–5.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (3.6–16.0%) n=765 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.9% | 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+) | 22.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.8% (14.7–29.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 77.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.3% (62.1–91.8%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.7%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.3–6.8%) n=768 |
| Single-parent households | 59.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 59.0% (47.7–72.8%) n=762 |
| Population 65+ | 23.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (13.9–32.2%) n=768 |
| Median age | 46.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.2 yr (36.2–56.1) n=765 |
| Median household income | $72,595 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $181,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $931 | $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 | 76.6 yr ± 0.95 | 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 0.95 years of 76.6, 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