ZIP code
59044
in Laurel, MontanaPopulation 12,302
52.41/ 100
Ranked #12,896 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 40%)
Ranked #107 of 341 Montana ZIPs (top 31%)
Ranked #17 of 30 Billings, MT ZIPs (bottom 43%)
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.
Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.7%
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST48thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
20%
in the top 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
19.7 per million
in the bottom 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST75thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 10.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS90thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
32.9%
in the bottom 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 13.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & 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 ›Mammography
79.3%
in the top 15% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
42.3%
in the top 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS80thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
2.7%
in the bottom 29% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS29thDefinition & 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 ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, Laurel, Montana (ZIP 59044) ranks in the top 40% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,896th) and the top 31% of Montana (107th).
The profile opens on a set of genuinely favorable readings: modeled air-toxics cancer risk rests in the bottom 7.6% nationally, and humid heat is in the bottom 12.5% nationally. Modeled high cholesterol stands in the bottom 9.1% nationally. Distance to a nursing home settles at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. On the other side, modeled fine-particle lies in the top 5.2% nationally, binge drinking resides in the top 6.2% nationally, and disaster risk lands in the top 10.1% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss registers in the top 13.3% nationally, and radon sits in the top 15% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility rests at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs.
In plainer terms, fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 59057, 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 Billings, MT 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 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 78%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 64%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 42%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 20%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Disability
healthier than 75%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 81%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
Disability
healthier than 74%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 7%
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
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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 14.3; chronic-disease standing 71.4 — 57 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,115 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
59041
Montanashares a border
Score 49.98
Closest healthier
59057
Montanashares a border
Score 58.02
Similar health profile
49504
Michigan98% similar profile
Score 54.21
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 | 28.7% | 26.2–31.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.7% | 29.9–35.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.5% | 8.7–10.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.6–12.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.5–6.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.6 |
| Depression among adults | 27.4% | 24.4–30.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.8% | 8.5–11.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.9% | 30.0–35.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.1% | 30.2–38.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 3.1–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.8% | 9.8–14.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.4% | 7.1–9.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.4% | 70.5–76.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.2% | 72.3–77.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.3% | 82.5–85.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.2% | 62.6–69.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.7% | 60.7–66.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.3% | 74.0–84.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.0% | 17.5–22.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.3% | 12.3–16.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.8% | 18.0–23.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.2% | 30.6–38.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.2% | 16.0–20.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.5% | 15.6–19.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.5–15.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.5% | 12.8–16.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.3% | 28.1–34.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.2–9.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.8% | 6.9–8.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.2–14.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.1% | 19.5–24.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.1–12.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 5.9–8.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.4–9.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.2% | 28.1–34.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.1–6.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.7% (1.9–27.5%) n=360 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.1% (0.0–33.1%) n=357 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (0.0–14.1%) n=360 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.6% (12.3–46.1%) n=360 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.8% (0.0–10.2%) n=357 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–9.5%) n=360 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.1–100.0%) n=360 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.1% (7.3–37.2%) n=360 |
| Homeownership rate | 72.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.0% (56.9–95.8%) n=360 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–6.6%) n=360 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.9% (0.0–4.9%) n=360 |
| Single-parent households | 50.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.3% (39.9–84.5%) n=356 |
| Population 65+ | 14.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 24.0% (12.9–44.0%) n=360 |
| Median age | 38.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 46.0 yr (32.9–62.3) n=358 |
| Median household income | $87,648 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,875 ($44,980–$95,192) n=321 |
| Median home value | $346,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $292,450 ($127,430–$548,550) n=312 |
| Median gross rent | $967 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $877 ($544–$1,329) n=213 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 79.1 yr ± 0.90 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 79.7 yr (76.7–83.7) n=358 |
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 0.90 years of 79.1, 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