ZIP code
64494
in Union Star, MissouriPopulation 1,163
50.88/ 100
Ranked #15,026 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 47%)
Ranked #163 of 993 Missouri ZIPs (top 16%)
Ranked #12 of 31 St. Joseph, MO-KS ZIPs (top 39%)
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.
Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & 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 ›The read
By the composite measure, Union Star, Missouri (ZIP 64494) sits in the top 47% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,026th) and the top 16% of Missouri (163rd).
Where this area does well, the measures make it plain: modeled loud transportation noise lies at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Distance to a Superfund site settles in the top 12.6% nationally, poverty stands in the bottom 14.2% nationally, and modeled loneliness is in the bottom 17% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure rests at the national minimum, shared with about 36% of ZIPs. Against that, slow internet speeds sits in the top 10.2% nationally, and distance to an emergency room registers in the top 17% nationally. Recreation lands at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs. Lithium in drinking water resides in the top 18% nationally, and home broadband subscription lies in the bottom 18% nationally.
In plain language, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. ZIP 64422, 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 St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 76%
14%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 49%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 44%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 48%
8%
Disability
healthier than 47%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 40%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 44%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 68%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 77%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 82%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 84%
8%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 55%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 50%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 74%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 68%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 68%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 58%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 53%
11%
Disability
healthier than 53%
7%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 37%
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
64422
Missourishares a border
Score 51.94
Closest healthier
64459
Missourishares a border
Score 51.02
Similar health profile
54550
Wisconsin90% similar profile
Score 51.06
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 | 31.7% | 29.0–34.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.4% | 35.2–42.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.2% | 9.4–11.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.4–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.4 |
| Depression among adults | 23.6% | 20.9–26.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.9% | 10.6–13.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.4% | 36.1–43.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.5% | 31.7–43.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.4% | 11.3–15.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.3% | 6.1–8.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.0% | 76.7–81.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.1% | 76.2–81.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.1% | 84.4–87.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.5% | 62.1–70.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.1% | 60.0–66.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.4% | 67.5–80.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.4% | 14.1–19.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.9% | 13.6–18.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.5% | 23.7–31.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.4% | 30.1–41.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.2% | 17.0–21.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.6% | 14.9–18.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.5% | 12.9–16.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.1% | 14.3–17.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.6% | 31.9–39.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.3–10.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.7% | 14.0–17.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.2–4.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.0–4.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 18.7% | 16.3–21.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 8.8–12.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.9% | 6.5–9.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 8.0–10.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.8–7.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.4% | 25.8–33.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.9% | 6.0–7.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MO median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 12.3% (3.2–26.0%) n=1,009 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 13.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.2% (3.5–28.4%) n=1,006 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.5% (2.5–20.5%) n=1,009 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 21.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 18.1% (7.2–40.2%) n=1,009 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.9% (0.0–8.5%) n=1,003 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–11.9%) n=1,009 |
| Broadband subscription | 80.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.3% (72.7–95.2%) n=1,009 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 16.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.7% (8.4–33.9%) n=1,009 |
| Homeownership rate | 80.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.4% (56.0–94.3%) n=1,009 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–5.1%) n=1,009 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.8% (0.0–6.4%) n=1,010 |
| Single-parent households | 56.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 55.0% (39.5–75.6%) n=1,005 |
| Population 65+ | 23.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.2% (11.7–31.1%) n=1,010 |
| Median age | 39.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.5 yr (33.3–55.9) n=1,005 |
| Median household income | $65,511 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $61,740 ($42,457–$95,231) n=948 |
| Median home value | $144,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $174,150 ($91,880–$309,500) n=930 |
| Median gross rent | $915 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $813 ($553–$1,265) n=786 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MO median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 80.5 yr ± 1.18 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 77.6 yr (74.6–81.0) n=995 |
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 1.18 years of 80.5, 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