ZIP code
54720
in Altoona, WisconsinPopulation 8,947
56.16/ 100
Ranked #8,115 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 25%)
Ranked #240 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (top 31%)
Ranked #5 of 16 Eau Claire, WI ZIPs (top 31%)
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.
PFAS in drinking water
83.4%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Elder-services access
0.47 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.1%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Recreation access
0.93 per 1,000 residents
in the top 10.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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 ›Mammography
80.5%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST73rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
54.6%
in the bottom 11.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Child-care access
0.47 per 1,000 residents
in the top 12.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Transit access
2.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 13.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS86thDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops 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 ›Civic-institution access
0.47 per 1,000 residents
in the top 13.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS86thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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
In its overall standing, Altoona, Wisconsin (ZIP 54720) lands in the top 25% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,115th) and the top 31% of Wisconsin (240th).
Taken together, the data gives a genuinely mixed reading: elder services is in the top 2.6% nationally, recreation sits in the top 10.3% nationally, and modeled utility shutoff lands in the bottom 10.9% nationally. Modeled mammography lies in the top 8.7% nationally, fatal road crashes stands in the bottom 12.1% nationally, and childcare rests in the top 12.3% nationally. On the other side, modeled pfas registers in the top 1.3% nationally, and industrial-pollution burden resides in the top 4.6% nationally. Modeled fine-particle settles in the top 8.6% nationally, and homeownership is in the bottom 11.8% nationally.
Against the wider neighborhood, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put simply, 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. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. On the overall standing, ZIP 54701, just across the boundary, ranks healthier.
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 Eau Claire, 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 75%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 77%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Disability
healthier than 73%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 53%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 46%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 7%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 24%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.00%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 80%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 87%
11%
Disability
healthier than 73%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 53%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.00%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.00%
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 ›
Findings that name this ZIP
3 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 $85,977 predicts 79.5 years — 2.9 years below.
Ranked #3,969 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 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 81.4 years — 4.8 years below them.
Ranked #3,325 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 9.8 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 75.4 — 66 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,980 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
54701
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 58.02
Closest healthier
54742
Wisconsinabout 0.4 mi away
Score 57.95
Similar health profile
19125
Pennsylvania99% similar profile
Score 58.01
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 | 27.2% | 24.4–30.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.0% | 28.6–35.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.8–10.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.7% | 9.5–12.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.8–7.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.3–7.3 |
| Depression among adults | 25.3% | 22.1–28.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.2% | 8.8–11.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.1% | 30.5–37.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 30.8% | 25.5–36.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 2.9–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.4% | 6.0–9.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.8% | 5.4–8.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.1% | 75.4–80.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.4% | 74.1–80.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.3% | 84.2–88.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.2% | 66.7–75.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.3% | 66.2–72.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.5% | 74.1–85.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.5% | 15.6–21.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.4% | 10.2–15.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.1% | 21.2–29.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.7% | 29.6–40.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.9% | 13.6–18.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.6% | 13.7–17.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.3% | 10.7–14.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.3% | 10.7–14.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.6% | 25.8–33.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.5–8.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–9.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.0% | 11.1–15.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.8–3.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.8% | 17.0–22.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.9% | 7.9–11.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 8.5–12.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 6.8–9.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.0% | 5.1–6.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.7% | 26.7–35.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 4.0–5.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (3.6–16.0%) n=765 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.7% (2.4–14.9%) n=764 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (2.3–12.6%) n=768 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 42.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.8% (14.7–29.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 54.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.3% (62.1–91.8%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.6% | 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 | 54.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 59.0% (47.7–72.8%) n=762 |
| Population 65+ | 19.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (13.9–32.2%) n=768 |
| Median age | 37.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.2 yr (36.2–56.1) n=765 |
| Median household income | $85,977 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $236,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $1,246 | $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 ± 0.98 | 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 0.98 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