ZIP code
59912
in Columbia Falls, MontanaPopulation 15,752
52.69/ 100
Ranked #12,509 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 39%)
Ranked #99 of 341 Montana ZIPs (top 29%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Park land
44.2%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
2.0%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST56thUS96thDefinition & 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
3.2 pCi/L
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
19.9%
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
12.9 days/year
in the bottom 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
0.52 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 14.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS86thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
44.1%
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS82ndDefinition & 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
Judged by its overall standing, Columbia Falls, Montana (ZIP 59912) sits in the top 39% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,509th) and the top 29% of Montana (99th).
A balanced showing across the data, with a few readings each side: park land lands in the top 2.9% nationally, modeled humid heat rests in the bottom 9.8% nationally, and childcare settles in the top 9.8% nationally. Distance to a community health center lands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Elder services rests in the top 11.7% nationally. On the other hand, distance to a Superfund site settles at the national minimum, and modeled fine-particle lands in the top 4.5% nationally. Modeled radon rests in the top 7.5% nationally, and binge drinking settles in the top 6.6% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss lands in the top 8.1% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put plainly, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. 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 59901, 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.
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 68%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 90%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 29%
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 5.1 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 67.9 — 63 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,680 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
59901
Montanashares a border
Score 52.96
Closest healthier
59937
Montanashares a border
Score 60.31
Similar health profile
83858
Idaho96% similar profile
Score 52.16
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 | 29.5% | 26.7–32.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.7% | 28.7–34.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.0% | 9.2–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.8–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.6–8.5 |
| Depression among adults | 24.1% | 21.3–27.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.6% | 8.4–11.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.5% | 30.3–36.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.5% | 27.3–35.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.5% | 9.5–13.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.3% | 7.8–11.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.6% | 70.3–76.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.0% | 67.7–74.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.3% | 81.3–85.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.5% | 61.5–69.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.8% | 61.6–67.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.7% | 67.2–79.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.9% | 17.3–22.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.6% | 11.6–15.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.1% | 17.2–23.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.5% | 27.6–35.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.7% | 16.5–21.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.2% | 14.5–18.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.3% | 12.7–15.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.4–15.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.5% | 28.2–34.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.9–9.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.0–8.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–4.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.6% | 18.8–24.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.1–12.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.3–9.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.0% | 7.7–10.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–8.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.4% | 25.9–33.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.7% (1.9–27.5%) n=360 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 20.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.1% (0.0–33.1%) n=357 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (0.0–14.1%) n=360 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 33.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.6% (12.3–46.1%) n=360 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.8% (0.0–10.2%) n=357 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–9.5%) n=360 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.1–100.0%) n=360 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.1% (7.3–37.2%) n=360 |
| Homeownership rate | 72.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.0% (56.9–95.8%) n=360 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–6.6%) n=360 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.9% (0.0–4.9%) n=360 |
| Single-parent households | 57.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.3% (39.9–84.5%) n=356 |
| Population 65+ | 18.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 24.0% (12.9–44.0%) n=360 |
| Median age | 39.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 46.0 yr (32.9–62.3) n=358 |
| Median household income | $76,617 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,875 ($44,980–$95,192) n=321 |
| Median home value | $488,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $292,450 ($127,430–$548,550) n=312 |
| Median gross rent | $1,090 | $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 | 78.2 yr ± 0.83 | 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 0.83 years of 78.2, 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