ZIP code
59404
in Great Falls, MontanaPopulation 28,822
52.12/ 100
Ranked #13,291 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 41%)
Ranked #114 of 341 Montana ZIPs (top 33%)
Ranked #2 of 17 Great Falls, MT ZIPs (top 11.8%)
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.
Natural-disaster risk
in the top 0.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$1
in the top 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Lead in tap water
10 ppb
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
US98thDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
2.8%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST69thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.2 mi
in the bottom 4.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
9.3 days/year
in the bottom 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST59thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Lithium in drinking water
69 µg/L
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
19.1 per million
in the bottom 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST70thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
2.2%
in the bottom 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS18thDefinition & 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
By the composite health measure, ZIP 59404, one of several in Great Falls, Montana ranks in the top 41% healthiest ZIPs nationally (13,291st) and the top 33% of Montana (114th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: modeled humid heat rests in the bottom 6.4% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk stands in the bottom 7.2% nationally. Distance to a community health center lies at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. On the other side, modeled disaster risk lands in the top 0.8% nationally, modeled expected annual loss sits in the top 1.4% nationally, and lead in tap water is in the top 2.3% nationally. Modeled fine-particle settles in the top 2.6% nationally, distance to a Superfund site resides in the bottom 4.3% nationally, and modeled binge drinking registers in the top 6.2% nationally. Lithium in drinking water rests in the top 6.5% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Close by, ZIP 59420, 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. Compare it against the US, this state and the Great Falls, MT metro area.
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 77%
16%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 97%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 49%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 23%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 69%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 70%
13%
Disability
healthier than 66%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 61%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
in the top 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.00%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Disability
healthier than 85%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 74%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
“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
59401
Montanashares a border
Score 43.95
Closest healthier
59420
Montanashares a border
Score 52.40
Similar health profile
49508
Michigan96% similar profile
Score 53.16
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 | 31.6% | 29.0–34.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.9% | 31.0–36.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.8–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.2% | 10.9–13.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.8–7.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–7.9 |
| Depression among adults | 26.4% | 23.6–29.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.2% | 32.1–38.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.5% | 30.4–38.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.2% | 8.4–12.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.7% | 7.5–10.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.9% | 72.0–77.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.0% | 72.0–77.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.2% | 82.5–85.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.6% | 64.9–72.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.0% | 63.0–68.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.9% | 73.6–83.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.0% | 17.3–22.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.6% | 11.9–15.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.8% | 19.0–24.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.3% | 30.6–38.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.8% | 16.8–21.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.8% | 16.0–19.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.6% | 13.1–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.3% | 12.8–15.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.6% | 29.5–35.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.9–9.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.4% | 11.9–15.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–4.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.0% | 19.4–24.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.1% | 9.6–12.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.4–8.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.4–9.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.6% | 29.2–36.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.4–7.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.7% (1.9–27.5%) n=360 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.1% (0.0–33.1%) n=357 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (0.0–14.1%) n=360 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.6% (12.3–46.1%) n=360 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.8% (0.0–10.2%) n=357 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–9.5%) n=360 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.1–100.0%) n=360 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.1% (7.3–37.2%) n=360 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.0% (56.9–95.8%) n=360 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–6.6%) n=360 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.9% (0.0–4.9%) n=360 |
| Single-parent households | 56.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.3% (39.9–84.5%) n=356 |
| Population 65+ | 19.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 24.0% (12.9–44.0%) n=360 |
| Median age | 40.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 46.0 yr (32.9–62.3) n=358 |
| Median household income | $83,867 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,875 ($44,980–$95,192) n=321 |
| Median home value | $295,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $292,450 ($127,430–$548,550) n=312 |
| Median gross rent | $1,176 | $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 | 79.6 yr ± 0.64 | 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 0.64 years of 79.6, 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