ZIP code
59602
in Helena, MontanaPopulation 30,754
54.14/ 100
Ranked #10,518 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 33%)
Ranked #58 of 341 Montana ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #6 of 17 Helena, MT ZIPs (top 35%)
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 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
3.5%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.5 pCi/L
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Park land
38.2%
in the top 3.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
8.1 days/year
in the bottom 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST52ndUS5thDefinition & 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
19.2 per million
in the bottom 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST70thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
19.7%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
29.5%
in the bottom 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST21stUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
16.5%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
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 ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both modeled radon and modeled groundwater arsenic.
See the full radon & arsenic analysis →
The read
Judged by its overall standing, ZIP 59602, one of several in Helena, Montana sits in the top 33% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,518th) and the top 17% of Montana (58th).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: park land lies in the top 3.5% nationally, modeled humid heat registers in the bottom 5.3% nationally, and modeled air-toxics cancer risk is in the bottom 7.2% nationally. Modeled short sleep lies in the bottom 7.5% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled disaster risk registers in the top 1.5% nationally, and fine-particle is in the top 2.0% nationally. Modeled radon lies in the top 4.7% nationally, and expected annual loss registers in the top 3.3% nationally. Modeled binge drinking is in the top 7.4% nationally, and arsenic lies in the top 8.7% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put plainly, disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 59601, 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 Helena, MT metro area.
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 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 83%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 75%
11%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 98%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 40%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 3%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 29%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 88%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 69%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 78%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 44%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.00%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 33%
5%
“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
One of our published findings lists 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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 3.5 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 71.0 — 68 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,156 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
59421
Montanashares a border
Score 50.25
Closest healthier
59601
Montanashares a border
Score 57.20
Similar health profile
99037
Washington97% similar profile
Score 56.03
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 | 31.2% | 28.3–34.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.8% | 27.7–34.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.6% | 10.2–12.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.4 |
| Depression among adults | 26.2% | 23.0–29.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.5% | 8.3–10.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.8% | 30.4–37.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.8% | 27.2–36.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 3.0–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.1% | 8.2–12.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.1% | 6.9–9.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.9% | 70.5–77.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.5% | 71.1–77.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.8% | 83.0–86.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.1% | 61.8–70.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.0% | 64.0–70.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.4% | 69.8–81.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.7% | 16.8–22.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.1% | 11.3–15.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.8% | 16.0–21.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 29.5% | 25.4–33.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.0% | 15.0–19.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.1% | 15.2–19.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.4–15.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.4% | 11.9–15.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.8% | 26.5–33.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.0–8.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.5–8.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.8% | 11.2–14.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.2% | 17.6–22.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.7–11.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.1–8.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 6.8–9.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.7–7.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.3% | 25.8–32.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.1–6.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.7% (1.9–27.5%) n=360 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.1% (0.0–33.1%) n=357 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (0.0–14.1%) n=360 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 38.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.6% (12.3–46.1%) n=360 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.8% (0.0–10.2%) n=357 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–9.5%) n=360 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.1–100.0%) n=360 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.1% (7.3–37.2%) n=360 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.0% (56.9–95.8%) n=360 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–6.6%) n=360 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.9% (0.0–4.9%) n=360 |
| Single-parent households | 57.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.3% (39.9–84.5%) n=356 |
| Population 65+ | 18.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 24.0% (12.9–44.0%) n=360 |
| Median age | 41.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 46.0 yr (32.9–62.3) n=358 |
| Median household income | $92,985 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,875 ($44,980–$95,192) n=321 |
| Median home value | $408,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $292,450 ($127,430–$548,550) n=312 |
| Median gross rent | $1,464 | $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 | 78.7 yr ± 0.68 | 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 0.68 years of 78.7, 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