ZIP code
59474
in Shelby, MontanaPopulation 3,525
46.48/ 100
Ranked #20,780 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 35%)
Ranked #237 of 341 Montana ZIPs (bottom 30%)
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.
Binge drinking
21.6%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST18thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Pharmacy access
0.58 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies 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 ›Grocery access
0.29 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Elder-services access
0.29 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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
1.6 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST58thUS5thDefinition & 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
0.58 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
56.8 mi
in the top 9.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST69thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›The read
In its overall standing, Shelby, Montana (ZIP 59474) lands in the bottom 35% nationally (20,780th) and the bottom 30% of Montana (237th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
This area's pressures are easy to read across the measures: modeled binge drinking resides in the top 2.3% nationally, and walkability settles in the bottom 5.2% nationally. On the brighter side, modeled industrial-pollution burden is in the bottom 2.4% nationally, modeled air-toxics cancer risk sits in the bottom 2.8% nationally, and pharmacy lands in the top 3.8% nationally. Grocery lies in the top 3.9% nationally, and elder services stands in the top 4.8% nationally. Distance to an emergency room rests at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Childcare registers in the top 7.9% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site resides in the top 9.6% 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. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. On the overall standing, ZIP 59425, just across the boundary, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 78%
14%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 38%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 18%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Disability
healthier than 35%
7%
Not placed: Climate / Disaster Risk — too little of each is measured here to compare reliably. They still count toward the score (together 5% of it); we just will not publish a standing we cannot stand behind.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 75%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 85%
14%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 34%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 5%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Not placed: Climate / Disaster Risk — too little of each is measured here to compare reliably. They still count toward the score (together 5% of it); we just will not publish a standing we cannot stand behind.
“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
59425
Montanashares a border
Score 48.34
Closest healthier
59456
Montanashares a border
Score 46.73
Similar health profile
81226
Colorado98% similar profile
Score 47.13
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 | 27.6% | 24.4–30.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.7% | 29.6–37.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.6–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–8.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.0–9.6 |
| Depression among adults | 22.8% | 19.3–26.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.1% | 9.4–12.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.9% | 29.0–37.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.4% | 28.1–43.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.1% | 10.6–15.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.4% | 11.1–15.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.4% | 66.9–73.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 67.6% | 63.2–71.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 78.4% | 75.8–80.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.0% | 53.3–64.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.9% | 54.1–61.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 70.1% | 61.1–77.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 21.6% | 18.0–25.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.9% | 16.9–23.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.2% | 21.8–31.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.2% | 25.3–37.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.4% | 19.3–25.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.6% | 16.4–21.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.5–17.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.8% | 14.7–19.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.6% | 29.9–39.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.1–10.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.0% | 12.7–17.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.8–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.1–6.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.4% | 21.7–29.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.8% | 13.9–19.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.7% | 10.4–15.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.7% | 10.8–14.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.6–11.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.8% | 27.1–37.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.2% | 7.8–10.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.7% (1.9–27.5%) n=360 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.1% (0.0–33.1%) n=357 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (0.0–14.1%) n=360 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 21.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.6% (12.3–46.1%) n=360 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.8% (0.0–10.2%) n=357 |
| Households without a vehicle | 9.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–9.5%) n=360 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.1–100.0%) n=360 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 31.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.1% (7.3–37.2%) n=360 |
| Homeownership rate | 63.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.0% (56.9–95.8%) n=360 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–6.6%) n=360 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.9% (0.0–4.9%) n=360 |
| Single-parent households | 59.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.3% (39.9–84.5%) n=356 |
| Population 65+ | 18.1% | 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 | $57,846 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,875 ($44,980–$95,192) n=321 |
| Median home value | $233,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $292,450 ($127,430–$548,550) n=312 |
| Median gross rent | $892 | $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 unavailable for this ZIP — fewer than 80% of the census tracts that make it up could be matched across the 2010→2020 tract-boundary revision, so no value is published rather than an unreliable one. See how coverage gaps are handled. | |||
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