ZIP code
67601
in Hays, KansasPopulation 24,330
54.01/ 100
Ranked #10,685 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 33%)
Ranked #124 of 682 Kansas ZIPs (top 18%)
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.
Nitrate in drinking water
17.5%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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 ›Lithium in drinking water
99 µg/L
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.5 pCi/L
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Fiber broadband
99.4%
in the top 3.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
325 units
in the top 7.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
50.3 days/year
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
52.2%
in the top 12.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS88thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
32.7%
in the bottom 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›The read
Hays, Kansas (ZIP 67601), in overall standing, comes out in the top 33% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,685th) and the top 18% of Kansas (124th).
A balanced showing across the data, with a few readings each side: fiber broadband stands in the top 3.7% nationally. Distance to an emergency room resides at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Subsidized affordable housing sits in the top 7.5% nationally. Distance to a community health center stands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. On the other hand, modeled nitrate resides in the top 2.4% nationally, and lithium in drinking water sits in the top 2.4% nationally. Modeled radon stands in the top 5.2% nationally, and disaster risk resides in the top 3.8% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss sits in the top 5.4% nationally, and extreme heat stands in the top 9.4% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 67674, about 3.0 miles away.
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 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 69%
16%
Disability
healthier than 63%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 90%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
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 ›
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 22.9; chronic-disease standing 82.2 — 59 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,338 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
67520
Kansasshares a border
Score 48.17
Closest healthier
67674
Kansasabout 3.0 mi away
Score 54.58
Similar health profile
28134
North Carolina96% similar profile
Score 54.23
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 | 23.4% | 21.0–26.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.8% | 27.6–34.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.5% | 6.8–8.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 9.0–11.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.1 |
| Depression among adults | 21.3% | 18.4–24.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.2% | 8.0–10.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.7% | 29.2–36.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.6% | 31.1–42.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.7% | 9.7–14.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.2% | 7.8–10.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.2% | 72.8–77.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.9% | 72.5–79.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 79.5% | 77.3–81.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.9% | 62.0–71.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.5% | 61.3–67.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.1% | 66.7–80.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.0% | 16.1–22.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.1% | 11.3–15.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.6% | 20.2–27.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.0% | 29.8–40.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.9% | 14.8–19.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.9% | 15.9–20.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.8% | 10.5–13.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.2% | 14.3–18.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.2% | 25.6–33.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.5–9.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.3–13.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.1–5.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.1% | 17.2–23.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.3% | 11.3–15.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 6.8–9.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.2–12.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 7.2–9.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.7% | 27.5–35.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.4–9.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | KS median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 18.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.8% (2.7–20.7%) n=688 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 10.6% (2.3–24.2%) n=686 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.7% (1.1–14.8%) n=689 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 41.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 24.0% (11.3–43.6%) n=689 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.2% (0.0–7.1%) n=689 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.8% (0.0–8.3%) n=688 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.4% (75.3–96.9%) n=688 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 35.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 19.5% (7.8–31.9%) n=688 |
| Homeownership rate | 61.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.7% (59.7–94.6%) n=688 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.6%) n=688 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.1% (0.0–9.9%) n=692 |
| Single-parent households | 48.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 55.7% (41.7–78.0%) n=684 |
| Population 65+ | 16.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.6% (11.9–35.1%) n=692 |
| Median age | 32.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.9 yr (32.2–56.9) n=689 |
| Median household income | $61,417 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $67,738 ($49,860–$97,877) n=659 |
| Median home value | $227,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $135,800 ($68,740–$290,700) n=627 |
| Median gross rent | $938 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $820 ($592–$1,257) n=519 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | KS median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 78.9 yr ± 0.52 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 78.9 yr (76.2–81.8) n=687 |
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 0.52 years of 78.9, 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