ZIP code
59422
in Choteau, MontanaPopulation 2,938
50.68/ 100
Ranked #15,304 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 48%)
Ranked #145 of 341 Montana ZIPs (top 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.
Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
0.74 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 1.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST21stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Child-care access
1.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Grocery access
0.37 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
10 per million
in the bottom 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS3rdDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
5.6 days/year
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST32ndUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.7%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST47thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
28.9%
in the bottom 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST16thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
98.1%
in the top 6.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
11 mi
in the top 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST46thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›The read
In its overall standing, Choteau, Montana (ZIP 59422) lands in the top 48% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,304th) and the top 43% of Montana (145th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
This area's measures are easy to read as a mixed set: modeled industrial-pollution burden registers in the bottom 1.5% nationally, childcare resides in the top 1.8% nationally, and grocery settles in the top 2.8% nationally. Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is in the bottom 2.8% nationally, and humid heat sits in the bottom 3.6% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled short sleep lies in the bottom 5.5% nationally, and fiber broadband stands in the top 6.6% nationally. Set against that, walkability rests in the bottom 1.7% nationally, and modeled fine-particle registers in the top 5.3% nationally.
Put simply, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. 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 59854, about 12 miles away, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Risk Behavior
healthier than 73%
11%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 48%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 50%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 48%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 64%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 60%
11%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
in the top 0.00%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 44%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 44%
8%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Disability
healthier than 33%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
59410
Montanashares a border
Score 47.82
Closest healthier
59854
Montanaabout 12 mi away
Score 51.80
Similar health profile
81324
Colorado96% similar profile
Score 51.83
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 | 32.8% | 29.1–36.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.7% | 32.5–40.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.2% | 10.1–12.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.3% | 9.9–12.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.3–9.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.3–10.0 |
| Depression among adults | 23.3% | 19.8–27.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.6% | 9.9–13.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.3% | 33.1–41.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.1% | 24.5–38.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.3% | 3.9–4.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.1% | 8.2–12.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.1% | 7.3–11.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.2% | 73.9–80.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.3% | 69.3–77.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.4% | 82.1–86.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.9% | 56.7–66.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.8% | 57.2–64.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 71.2% | 63.2–78.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.5% | 14.4–20.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.2% | 11.9–16.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.3% | 20.1–29.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.9% | 23.5–34.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.0% | 17.0–23.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.7% | 14.6–18.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.3% | 13.3–17.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.6% | 12.7–16.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.9% | 30.3–39.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.2–11.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.9% | 13.6–18.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.5–5.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.8% | 18.4–25.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.5% | 9.4–13.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 6.6–10.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.2–10.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.2–8.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.8% | 24.9–34.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.2–7.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 18.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.7% (1.9–27.5%) n=360 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.1% (0.0–33.1%) n=357 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (0.0–14.1%) n=360 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 26.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.6% (12.3–46.1%) n=360 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.8% (0.0–10.2%) n=357 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–9.5%) n=360 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.9% | 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 | 70.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.0% (56.9–95.8%) n=360 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–6.6%) n=360 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.9% (0.0–4.9%) n=360 |
| Single-parent households | 76.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.3% (39.9–84.5%) n=356 |
| Population 65+ | 24.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 24.0% (12.9–44.0%) n=360 |
| Median age | 44.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 46.0 yr (32.9–62.3) n=358 |
| Median household income | $67,500 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,875 ($44,980–$95,192) n=321 |
| Median home value | $256,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $292,450 ($127,430–$548,550) n=312 |
| Median gross rent | $710 | $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 | 81.4 yr ± 1.20 | 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 1.20 years of 81.4, 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