ZIP code
59405
in Great Falls, MontanaPopulation 33,350
46.32/ 100
Ranked #20,960 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 35%)
Ranked #241 of 341 Montana ZIPs (bottom 29%)
Ranked #14 of 17 Great Falls, MT ZIPs (bottom 18%)
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 0.3% 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 0.8% 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 ›Slow internet speeds
9.2%
in the top 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
11 ppb
in the top 2.2% 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
2.9%
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST69thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
1.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices located 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.1 mi
in the bottom 4.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST4thUS4thDefinition & 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
8.3 days/year
in the bottom 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST53rdUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Physician access
2.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices located 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
372 units
in the top 6.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, ZIP 59405, one of several in Great Falls, Montana ranks in the bottom 35% nationally (20,960th) and the bottom 29% of Montana (241st).
The burdens that read clearest in the data come first: modeled disaster risk sits in the top 0.3% nationally, and expected annual loss rests in the top 0.8% nationally. Slow internet speeds is in the top 1.5% nationally, and lead in tap water stands in the top 2.2% nationally. Modeled fine-particle settles in the top 2.5% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site lies in the bottom 4.2% nationally. Better still, dental providers resides in the top 3.5% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled humid heat registers in the bottom 5.4% nationally, and physicians sits in the top 5.8% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, 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. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 59404, 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 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
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 94%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 56%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 19%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 30%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 38%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 16%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 31%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 90%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 20%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 20%
8%
Disability
healthier than 20%
7%
“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
2 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 75.6 ± 0.9 years. A median household income of $59,449 predicts 78.0 years — 2.4 years below.
Ranked #3,300 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 75.6 ± 0.9 years. The 50 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.5 years — 4.9 years below them.
Ranked #3,363 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
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
59404
Montanashares a border
Score 52.12
Similar health profile
46550
Indiana97% similar profile
Score 44.49
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 | 30.1% | 27.6–32.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.1% | 30.3–35.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.7% | 7.9–9.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.7% | 11.4–14.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.6% | 6.0–7.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.8% | 7.0–8.7 |
| Depression among adults | 28.0% | 24.9–31.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.3% | 9.0–11.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.5% | 30.5–36.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.7% | 31.4–39.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.6% | 12.3–17.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.9% | 9.4–12.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.4% | 70.7–75.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.3% | 70.2–76.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 79.7% | 77.7–81.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.2% | 61.2–69.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.8% | 56.7–62.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.2% | 70.4–81.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.9% | 17.2–22.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.9% | 13.0–16.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.6% | 21.5–27.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.0% | 32.2–40.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.5% | 19.3–24.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.0% | 18.0–22.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.9–17.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.0% | 15.3–18.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.2% | 32.9–39.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.3–10.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.7% | 13.1–16.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.0% | 20.4–25.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.3% | 13.4–17.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.2% | 9.7–12.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.5–12.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 8.2–10.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.8% | 31.4–38.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 7.1–9.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.7% (1.9–27.5%) n=360 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.1% (0.0–33.1%) n=357 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.7% | 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+) | 5.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.8% (0.0–10.2%) n=357 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–9.5%) n=360 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.1–100.0%) n=360 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.1% (7.3–37.2%) n=360 |
| Homeownership rate | 57.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.0% (56.9–95.8%) n=360 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.2% | 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 | 52.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.3% (39.9–84.5%) n=356 |
| Population 65+ | 18.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 24.0% (12.9–44.0%) n=360 |
| Median age | 35.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 46.0 yr (32.9–62.3) n=358 |
| Median household income | $59,449 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,875 ($44,980–$95,192) n=321 |
| Median home value | $250,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $292,450 ($127,430–$548,550) n=312 |
| Median gross rent | $965 | $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 | 75.6 yr ± 0.44 | 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 0.44 years of 75.6, 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