ZIP code
59860
in Polson, MontanaPopulation 11,897
49.79/ 100
Ranked #16,531 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 48%)
Ranked #165 of 341 Montana ZIPs (top 48%)
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 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
4.7%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.18 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics 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 ›Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility
19 mi
in the top 5.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST81stUS95thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest facility that handles enough hazardous chemicals to require an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases.
Full methodology ›Outpatient-care access
0.53 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient clinics 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
16.3%
in the top 8.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Grocery access
0.18 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST84thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 11.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
136 units
in the top 15% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Polson, Montana (ZIP 59860) lands in the bottom 48% nationally (16,531st) and the top 48% of Montana (165th).
A number of measures mark where this area is under strain: modeled fine-particle is in the top 1.2% nationally, and arsenic settles in the top 8.9% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss resides in the top 10.0% nationally. On the brighter side, modeled industrial-pollution burden registers in the bottom 0.5% nationally, mental-health providers rests in the top 5.2% nationally, and distance to a hazardous-chemical facility stands in the top 5.4% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lies at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Outpatient lands in the top 7.0% nationally, grocery sits in the top 9.0% nationally, and modeled humid heat is in the bottom 11.0% nationally.
A note on the terms: industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 59911, just across the boundary, ranks better 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 69%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 73%
11%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 44%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 36%
13%
Disability
healthier than 37%
7%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 71%
16%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 49%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 58%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 80.0 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $62,047 predicts 78.2 years — 1.8 years above.
Ranked #1,095 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
59845
Montanashares a border
Score 32.43
Closest healthier
59911
Montanashares a border
Score 58.49
Similar health profile
98617
Washington88% similar profile
Score 48.52
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 | 33.9% | 30.8–37.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.7% | 33.2–40.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.1% | 10.2–12.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.7% | 10.5–13.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Depression among adults | 24.4% | 21.4–28.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.9% | 10.4–13.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.5% | 31.0–38.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.7% | 26.7–37.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.7% | 11.2–16.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.2% | 8.0–10.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.2% | 74.3–80.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.9% | 72.7–79.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.0% | 83.4–86.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.0% | 62.1–71.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.5% | 59.0–65.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.6% | 64.8–79.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.7% | 15.1–20.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.9% | 12.2–15.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.4% | 19.3–26.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.4% | 25.3–35.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.1% | 17.8–22.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.5% | 14.7–18.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.9–17.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.6–15.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.6% | 29.0–36.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.4% | 9.4–11.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.9% | 8.0–9.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.2% | 14.3–18.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–4.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.8% | 17.8–24.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.6% | 10.8–14.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.7–10.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 8.2–11.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 7.2–9.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.8% | 25.6–34.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.0–8.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.7% (1.9–27.5%) n=360 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.1% (0.0–33.1%) n=357 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (0.0–14.1%) n=360 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 34.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.6% (12.3–46.1%) n=360 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.8% (0.0–10.2%) n=357 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–9.5%) n=360 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.1–100.0%) n=360 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.1% (7.3–37.2%) n=360 |
| Homeownership rate | 72.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.0% (56.9–95.8%) n=360 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–6.6%) n=360 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.9% (0.0–4.9%) n=360 |
| Single-parent households | 57.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.3% (39.9–84.5%) n=356 |
| Population 65+ | 26.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 24.0% (12.9–44.0%) n=360 |
| Median age | 47.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 46.0 yr (32.9–62.3) n=358 |
| Median household income | $62,047 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,875 ($44,980–$95,192) n=321 |
| Median home value | $441,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $292,450 ($127,430–$548,550) n=312 |
| Median gross rent | $926 | $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 | 80.0 yr ± 0.76 | 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 0.76 years of 80.0, 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