ZIP code
54642
in Melrose, WisconsinPopulation 2,259
48.40/ 100
Ranked #18,423 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 43%)
Ranked #633 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (bottom 17%)
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.
Energy-cost burden
5.7%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Nitrate in drinking water
1.4%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams per liter.
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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS20thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
2.0%
in the bottom 26% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS26thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
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 ›Housing-cost burden
29.1%
in the top 31% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS69thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Melrose, Wisconsin (ZIP 54642) ranks in the bottom 43% nationally (18,423rd) and the bottom 17% of Wisconsin (633rd).
The signals balance out across the profile, strengths against concerns: modeled energy burden registers in the top 3.8% nationally. Set against that, modeled nitrate rests in the top 6.0% nationally. Fiber broadband stands at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Walkability lies in the bottom 12.4% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility lands at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. Modeled binge drinking sits in the top 14.1% nationally. Recreation is at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs. Distance to a community health center settles in the top 19% nationally. Physicians resides at the national minimum, shared with about 38% of ZIPs. Home broadband subscription registers in the bottom 20% nationally.
To spell things out, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. Energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. Close by, ZIP 54627, just across the boundary, ranks healthier 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
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 78%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 53%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 17%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 85%
14%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 40%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 15%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 18%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Disability
healthier than 32%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 16%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
54615
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 47.91
Closest healthier
54627
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 55.11
Similar health profile
17211
Pennsylvania96% similar profile
Score 47.32
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 | 28.5% | 25.7–31.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.0% | 31.6–38.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.7% | 8.0–9.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.4% | 10.3–12.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.9% | 6.9–9.0 |
| Depression among adults | 25.1% | 22.0–28.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.9% | 10.4–13.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.3% | 31.8–39.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.5% | 33.0–46.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.6% | 10.4–15.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.2% | 6.7–10.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.4% | 74.9–79.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.7% | 73.4–80.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.2% | 82.2–86.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.7% | 63.6–71.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.4% | 59.2–65.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.8% | 71.8–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.6% | 16.0–21.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.0% | 14.5–19.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.5% | 25.3–33.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.1% | 29.8–41.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.9% | 17.5–22.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.3% | 15.5–19.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.7% | 13.0–16.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.9% | 13.1–16.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.8% | 28.9–37.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.8% | 7.0–8.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.1% | 8.0–10.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.9% | 12.9–16.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.3% | 17.6–23.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 11.1–15.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.0% | 12.6–17.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.3% | 8.8–12.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.4–8.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.9% | 26.8–35.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 5.3–7.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (3.6–16.0%) n=765 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.7% (2.4–14.9%) n=764 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (2.3–12.6%) n=768 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 81.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.8% (14.7–29.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.3% (62.1–91.8%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.7%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.3–6.8%) n=768 |
| Single-parent households | 55.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 59.0% (47.7–72.8%) n=762 |
| Population 65+ | 17.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (13.9–32.2%) n=768 |
| Median age | 39.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.2 yr (36.2–56.1) n=765 |
| Median household income | $73,452 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $210,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $872 | $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 | 84.8 yr ± 2.03 | 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 2.03 years of 84.8, 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