ZIP code
54922
in Bear Creek, WisconsinPopulation 1,101
51.69/ 100
Ranked #13,846 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 43%)
Ranked #490 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #21 of 23 Appleton, WI ZIPs (bottom 8.7%)
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.
Binge drinking
21.3%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
21.3%
in the top 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Poverty rate
2.2%
in the bottom 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the bottom 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Fatal road crashes
36.3 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Walkability
2.5 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 11.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
0.29%
in the bottom 11.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS12thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
14.6 mi
in the top 12.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›The read
Bear Creek, Wisconsin (ZIP 54922), in overall standing, comes out in the top 43% healthiest ZIPs nationally (13,846th) and the bottom 36% of Wisconsin (490th).
An even profile, with readings pulling both ways: poverty is in the bottom 7.3% nationally, modeled disaster risk lies in the bottom 8.5% nationally, and modeled transportation noise registers in the bottom 11.9% nationally. Modeled pfas is in the bottom 13.3% nationally, and mammography lies in the top 12.9% nationally. Against that, modeled binge drinking registers in the top 2.7% nationally, and arsenic is in the top 5.9% nationally. Fatal road crashes lies in the top 8.8% nationally, and walkability registers in the bottom 11.4% nationally. Distance to a community health center is in the top 12.8% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. 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. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 54170, just across the boundary.
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 Appleton, WI metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 64%
13%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 43%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 57%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 18%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 13%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 56%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 38%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 20%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 11%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 86%
14%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
in the bottom 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.00%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Disability
healthier than 14%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 27%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 14%
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
54170
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 53.43
Closest healthier
54949
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 52.19
Similar health profile
19559
Pennsylvania96% similar profile
Score 53.19
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 | 28.8% | 26.6–31.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.8% | 33.2–38.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.4% | 7.7–9.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.9–11.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–8.2 |
| Depression among adults | 23.3% | 21.0–25.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.2% | 10.9–13.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.7% | 34.1–39.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.1% | 34.9–43.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.1% | 7.7–10.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.1% | 7.6–10.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.7% | 75.3–79.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.8% | 75.2–80.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.8% | 84.2–87.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.8% | 65.4–72.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.5% | 61.9–67.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.7% | 74.8–83.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 21.3% | 18.9–23.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.0% | 13.9–18.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.0% | 25.7–32.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.7% | 29.8–37.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.3% | 17.1–21.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.1% | 14.6–17.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.2% | 12.8–15.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 12.2–15.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.4% | 27.3–33.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.5–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.2–9.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.1% | 12.6–15.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.1–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.0% | 18.6–23.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 10.7–14.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 10.8–14.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.7–11.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.9% | 27.9–34.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 2.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (3.6–16.0%) n=765 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.7% (2.4–14.9%) n=764 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (2.3–12.6%) n=768 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 14.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 17.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.8% (14.7–29.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 81.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.3% (62.1–91.8%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.7%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.3–6.8%) n=768 |
| Single-parent households | 58.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 59.0% (47.7–72.8%) n=762 |
| Population 65+ | 16.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (13.9–32.2%) n=768 |
| Median age | 44.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.2 yr (36.2–56.1) n=765 |
| Median household income | $76,350 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $218,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $1,044 | $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 | 83.3 yr ± 1.68 | 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 1.68 years of 83.3, 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