ZIP code
59450
in Highwood, MontanaPopulation 503
41.68/ 100
Ranked #25,500 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 20%)
Ranked #293 of 341 Montana ZIPs (bottom 14.1%)
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.
Energy-cost burden
7.3%
in the top 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Civic-institution access
2.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Walkability
0.63 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST15thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
3.4 days/year
in the bottom 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Transportation noise
0.01%
in the bottom 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Tooth loss
24.5%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Radon
3 pCi/L
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS90thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
12 mi
in the top 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST50thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
1.2%
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST62ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Highwood, Montana (ZIP 59450) sits in the bottom 20% nationally (25,500th) and the bottom 14.1% of Montana (293rd), based on limited data; treat as directional.
Where this area is stretched, the data is unambiguous: modeled energy burden rests in the top 0.9% nationally, walkability sits in the bottom 1.4% nationally, and modeled tooth loss registers in the top 7.9% nationally. Modeled radon lands in the top 9.8% nationally, distance to a nursing home resides in the top 8.0% nationally, and slow internet speeds lies in the top 9.4% nationally. Better still, civic settles in the top 0.9% nationally, and modeled humid heat stands in the bottom 2.0% nationally. Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is in the bottom 2.8% nationally, and transportation noise rests in the bottom 5.7% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, civic runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. ZIP 59405, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 68%
14%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
in the top 0.6%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 24%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 29%
8%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 16%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 78%
14%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 17%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Disability
healthier than 16%
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
59405
Montanashares a border
Score 46.32
Closest healthier
59412
Montanashares a border
Score 51.61
Similar health profile
59029
Montana98% similar profile
Score 45.13
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 | 33.5% | 29.8–37.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.3% | 35.1–43.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.6% | 10.2–13.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–9.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.8% | 8.3–11.6 |
| Depression among adults | 24.8% | 21.2–28.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.7% | 10.9–14.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.3% | 33.1–41.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.4% | 29.1–44.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.6% | 4.0–5.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 24.5% | 20.6–28.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.0% | 7.8–12.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.2% | 74.2–80.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.6% | 69.7–77.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.8% | 80.6–85.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 58.3% | 52.8–63.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.0% | 53.2–60.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 70.3% | 61.6–78.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.4% | 15.3–21.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.5% | 14.4–20.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.7% | 21.0–30.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.0% | 28.1–40.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.5% | 19.0–26.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.0% | 15.7–20.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.0% | 14.7–19.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.8% | 13.6–18.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.7% | 30.9–40.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.5–12.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.9% | 8.5–11.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.1% | 14.4–20.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.1–5.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.0–6.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.1% | 18.4–25.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.8% | 10.9–16.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 8.4–13.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.0–11.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 6.8–9.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.9% | 26.7–37.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.1–8.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.7% (1.9–27.5%) n=360 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.1% (0.0–33.1%) n=357 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (0.0–14.1%) n=360 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 36.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.6% (12.3–46.1%) n=360 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.8% (0.0–10.2%) n=357 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–9.5%) n=360 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.1–100.0%) n=360 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 25.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.1% (7.3–37.2%) n=360 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.0% (56.9–95.8%) n=360 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–6.6%) n=360 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.9% (0.0–4.9%) n=360 |
| Single-parent households | 53.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.3% (39.9–84.5%) n=356 |
| Population 65+ | 22.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 24.0% (12.9–44.0%) n=360 |
| Median age | 43.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 46.0 yr (32.9–62.3) n=358 |
| Median household income | $70,250 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,875 ($44,980–$95,192) n=321 |
| Median home value | $288,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $292,450 ($127,430–$548,550) n=312 |
| Median gross rent | $1,323 | $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 | 79.9 yr ± 1.39 | 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 1.39 years of 79.9, 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