ZIP code
68020
in Decatur, NebraskaPopulation 644
46.70/ 100
Ranked #20,519 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #546 of 566 Nebraska ZIPs (bottom 3.6%)
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.
Elder-services access
1.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Radon
4.2 pCi/L
in the top 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST75thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Hearing disability
12.2%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
9.5%
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
10.5%
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
96.9%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
18.8 mi
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST53rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
46.5%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Stroke
5.2%
in the top 11.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Obesity
42.7%
in the top 10.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Decatur, Nebraska (ZIP 68020) sits in the bottom 36% nationally (20,519th) and the bottom 3.6% of Nebraska (546th).
What the numbers press hardest on defines much of the story here: modeled radon is in the top 1.4% nationally, modeled hearing disability rests in the top 3.8% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure sits in the top 4.0% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease registers in the top 6.5% nationally, distance to a community health center lands in the top 9.0% nationally, and modeled high blood pressure resides in the top 8.7% nationally. On the encouraging side, elder services lies in the top 0.3% nationally, and fiber broadband settles in the top 8.2% nationally. Modeled loneliness stands in the bottom 10.9% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise is at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, elder services runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. ZIP 51063, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 96%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 15%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 36%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 27%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 73%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 73%
8%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 1%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 35%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Disability
healthier than 4%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 17%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
51040
Iowashares a border
Score 44.54
Closest healthier
51063
Iowashares a border
Score 52.34
Similar health profile
68729
Nebraska95% similar profile
Score 48.94
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 | 33.8% | 30.2–37.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 46.5% | 42.1–50.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 12.1% | 10.9–13.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.3% | 8.3–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.5% | 9.0–12.2 |
| Depression among adults | 16.6% | 14.0–19.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.7% | 14.4–19.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.1% | 35.8–44.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.7% | 35.2–50.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–5.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.5% | 11.7–17.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.3% | 7.6–11.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 84.7% | 82.3–86.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.8% | 76.6–82.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.9% | 85.2–88.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.1% | 61.7–72.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.5% | 57.6–65.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.4% | 64.6–80.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.8% | 13.2–18.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.7% | 15.0–20.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 33.4% | 28.3–38.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.8% | 26.6–39.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.3% | 18.2–24.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.3% | 11.7–15.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.4% | 13.4–17.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.6% | 10.9–14.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.8% | 31.3–40.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 12.2% | 10.8–13.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.8–10.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.2% | 16.5–22.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.3–5.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–7.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.3% | 17.1–24.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.9% | 11.5–16.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.0–13.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.6–10.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.1–8.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.6% | 23.9–33.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.8–7.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 21.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.0% (2.6–16.7%) n=578 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 18.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.4% (1.6–20.4%) n=579 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.2% (1.5–11.9%) n=578 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 13.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 24.4% (12.1–39.7%) n=578 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.4% (0.0–5.8%) n=579 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.1% (0.0–7.6%) n=578 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (75.9–96.3%) n=578 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.5% (7.6–30.4%) n=578 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.5% (61.0–93.2%) n=578 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.6%) n=578 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.1% (0.0–8.3%) n=579 |
| Single-parent households | 68.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.2% (42.6–77.1%) n=577 |
| Population 65+ | 28.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 21.2% (11.4–34.7%) n=579 |
| Median age | 56.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.0–56.3) n=577 |
| Median household income | $48,750 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,386 ($53,469–$103,625) n=556 |
| Median home value | $120,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $168,400 ($90,000–$306,740) n=533 |
| Median gross rent | $617 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $850 ($610–$1,250) n=442 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 77.6 yr ± 2.31 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 80.1 yr (77.4–83.0) n=553 |
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 2.31 years of 77.6, 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