ZIP code
54501
in Rhinelander, WisconsinPopulation 21,405
52.61/ 100
Ranked #12,613 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 39%)
Ranked #444 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (bottom 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
$1
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
9.7 days/year
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.1%
in the top 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of days in the year when modeled fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution was above the EPA’s daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
48.6%
in the top 14.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS86thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
37.4 mi
in the top 21% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS79thDefinition & 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 ›Dry extreme heat
0.1 days/year
in the bottom 23% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS23rdDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Rhinelander, Wisconsin (ZIP 54501) lands in the top 39% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,613th) and the bottom 42% of Wisconsin (444th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: modeled humid heat sits in the bottom 6.8% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk is in the bottom 8.1% nationally. Distance to a community health center settles at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Distance to a nursing home resides at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. On the other side, modeled expected annual loss registers in the top 2.0% nationally, disaster risk rests in the top 3.4% nationally, and fine-particle stands in the top 9.3% nationally. Modeled industrial-pollution burden lies in the top 11.9% nationally, and pfas lands in the top 14.4% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility sits at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs.
Set beside the nearby areas, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 54435, just across the boundary, ranks better overall.
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 67%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 81%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 48%
8%
Disability
healthier than 53%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 69%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 55%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 54%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Disability
healthier than 36%
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 77.4 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $68,163 predicts 78.6 years — 1.2 years below.
Ranked #1,557 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
54435
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 54.41
Closest healthier
54463
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 53.66
Similar health profile
16346
Pennsylvania97% similar profile
Score 52.75
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% | 27.9–33.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.3% | 33.9–41.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.5% | 9.5–11.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.6–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.1% | 7.3–9.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.0–8.9 |
| Depression among adults | 24.7% | 21.6–28.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.1% | 11.6–15.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.0% | 33.5–40.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.0% | 30.8–41.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.7% | 9.5–14.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.1% | 6.0–8.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.4% | 76.6–82.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.1% | 75.8–82.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.1% | 85.5–88.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.0% | 65.8–73.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.7% | 60.4–66.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.1% | 73.2–84.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.2% | 15.3–21.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.3% | 13.3–17.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.5% | 24.0–31.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.8% | 29.2–38.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.0% | 16.9–21.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.1–17.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.0% | 13.4–16.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.1% | 11.6–14.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.8% | 29.3–36.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.0% | 14.2–18.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.3–5.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.3% | 16.5–22.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.3% | 9.5–13.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.7% | 10.9–14.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.6–10.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.5–7.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.8% | 27.7–36.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.5–6.1 |
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 | 7.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.7% (2.4–14.9%) n=764 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (2.3–12.6%) n=768 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 26.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.4% | 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) | 1.0% | 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 | 59.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 59.0% (47.7–72.8%) n=762 |
| Population 65+ | 22.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (13.9–32.2%) n=768 |
| Median age | 46.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.2 yr (36.2–56.1) n=765 |
| Median household income | $68,163 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $203,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $828 | $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 | 77.3 yr ± 0.59 | 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 0.59 years of 77.3, 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