ZIP code
59487
in Vaughn, MontanaPopulation 1,548
46.48/ 100
Ranked #20,788 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 35%)
Ranked #238 of 341 Montana ZIPs (bottom 30%)
Ranked #13 of 17 Great Falls, MT ZIPs (bottom 24%)
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.
Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
2.8%
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 ›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 ›Child-care access
0.8 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
7.5 days/year
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST47thUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Home broadband subscription
69.6%
in the bottom 5.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
11.6 mi
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST48thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›Mammography
78.5%
in the top 22% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS78thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
39.7%
in the top 23% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS77thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Vaughn, Montana (ZIP 59487) sits in the bottom 35% nationally (20,788th) and the bottom 30% of Montana (238th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: modeled air-toxics cancer risk registers in the bottom 2.8% nationally, childcare lands in the top 3.8% nationally, and modeled humid heat resides in the bottom 4.9% nationally. Distance to a community health center lies at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Working the other way, modeled fine-particle settles in the top 2.5% nationally, and home broadband subscription stands in the bottom 5.9% nationally. Distance to a nursing home is in the top 8.5% nationally, and modeled radon rests in the top 11.9% nationally. Modeled binge drinking sits in the top 10.5% nationally, and tree cover registers in the bottom 13.0% nationally.
In plain language, fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. 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. ZIP 59404, 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
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 98%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Disability
healthier than 42%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 39%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 37%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 74%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 35%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Disability
healthier than 37%
7%
Lifting this score
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 42%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.00%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 34%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 29%
8%
“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
59404
Montanashares a border
Score 52.12
Closest healthier
59443
Montanashares a border
Score 46.74
Similar health profile
47941
Indiana97% similar profile
Score 47.83
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 | 33.7% | 31.0–36.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.1% | 33.1–39.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.8% | 9.0–10.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.5% | 11.2–14.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.3–9.8 |
| Depression among adults | 27.3% | 24.3–30.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.4% | 9.9–13.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.8% | 33.7–40.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.9% | 31.7–40.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.5% | 12.9–18.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.9% | 8.2–12.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.1% | 73.2–78.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.9% | 71.9–77.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.3% | 81.3–85.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.7% | 63.9–71.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.3% | 58.2–64.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.5% | 73.4–83.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.1% | 16.6–21.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.7% | 13.2–18.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.7% | 21.1–28.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.1% | 31.4–38.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.5% | 18.8–24.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.7% | 16.6–20.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.2% | 14.4–18.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.7% | 13.7–17.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.6% | 31.8–39.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.5–10.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–9.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.5% | 13.5–17.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.5–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.9% | 19.9–26.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.8% | 10.8–15.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.5–11.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 7.9–10.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.5–8.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.3% | 29.8–37.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.7–7.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.7% (1.9–27.5%) n=360 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.1% (0.0–33.1%) n=357 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (0.0–14.1%) n=360 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 13.7% | 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 | 2.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–9.5%) n=360 |
| Broadband subscription | 69.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.1–100.0%) n=360 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.1% (7.3–37.2%) n=360 |
| Homeownership rate | 87.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.0% (56.9–95.8%) n=360 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–6.6%) n=360 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.9% (0.0–4.9%) n=360 |
| Single-parent households | 55.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.3% (39.9–84.5%) n=356 |
| Population 65+ | 17.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 24.0% (12.9–44.0%) n=360 |
| Median age | 41.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 46.0 yr (32.9–62.3) n=358 |
| Median household income | $56,359 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,875 ($44,980–$95,192) n=321 |
| Median home value | $229,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $292,450 ($127,430–$548,550) n=312 |
| Median gross rent | $955 | $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 | 82.3 yr ± 1.31 | 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 1.31 years of 82.3, 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