ZIP code
68355
in Falls City, NebraskaPopulation 4,860
49.11/ 100
Ranked #17,502 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 45%)
Ranked #500 of 566 Nebraska ZIPs (bottom 11.7%)
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.
Radon
4.3 pCi/L
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS99thDefinition & 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
99.8%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
28.6%
in the bottom 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST19thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Obesity
45.3%
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Elder-services access
0.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST80thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.17%
in the top 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST63rdUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
62.7 mi
in the top 8.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
5.0%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
10.5%
in the top 13.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Mammography
69.8%
in the bottom 13.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST3rdUS13thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
In its overall standing, Falls City, Nebraska (ZIP 68355) lands in the bottom 45% nationally (17,502nd) and the bottom 11.7% of Nebraska (500th).
Several serious readings shape the profile and deserve first mention: modeled radon sits in the top 1.2% nationally, obesity lands in the top 4.0% nationally, and nitrate lies in the top 8.0% nationally. Modeled energy burden stands in the top 9.0% nationally, and households without a vehicle rests in the top 13.8% nationally. On the better side, fiber broadband registers in the top 2.4% nationally, and modeled short sleep resides in the bottom 4.6% nationally. Elder services settles in the top 7.0% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site is in the top 8.1% nationally. Distance to a nursing home sits at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs.
Put simply, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. On the overall standing, ZIP 66434, just across the boundary, ranks healthier.
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
Mental Health
healthier than 92%
8%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 29%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 28%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 53%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 12%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 17%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 15%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Disability
healthier than 15%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 20%
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
64437
Missourishares a border
Score 43.27
Closest healthier
66434
Kansasshares a border
Score 50.78
Similar health profile
68728
Nebraska96% similar profile
Score 48.24
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 | 31.0% | 27.7–34.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.9% | 36.9–44.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.4% | 9.4–11.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.3–10.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.4% | 7.4–9.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.1–10.0 |
| Depression among adults | 17.9% | 15.1–20.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.9% | 12.0–16.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.1% | 32.4–40.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 45.3% | 39.0–51.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.2% | 3.7–4.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.4% | 12.5–18.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.8% | 7.0–11.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.5% | 79.1–83.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.4% | 73.0–79.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.6% | 82.6–86.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.2% | 57.1–67.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.1% | 58.5–65.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 69.8% | 61.5–77.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.5% | 14.7–20.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.0% | 13.2–18.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.0% | 26.8–37.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.6% | 23.4–34.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.2% | 16.1–22.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.2–15.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.0–16.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.1–14.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.6% | 28.1–37.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.2–9.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.1% | 13.4–18.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.4–4.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.6–6.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.7% | 17.2–24.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 9.8–15.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 7.4–11.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.2–10.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.6–7.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.0% | 25.1–35.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.2–7.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.0% (2.6–16.7%) n=578 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.4% (1.6–20.4%) n=579 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.2% (1.5–11.9%) n=578 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 24.4% (12.1–39.7%) n=578 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.4% (0.0–5.8%) n=579 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.1% (0.0–7.6%) n=578 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (75.9–96.3%) n=578 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.5% (7.6–30.4%) n=578 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.5% (61.0–93.2%) n=578 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.6%) n=578 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.1% (0.0–8.3%) n=579 |
| Single-parent households | 49.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.2% (42.6–77.1%) n=577 |
| Population 65+ | 24.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 21.2% (11.4–34.7%) n=579 |
| Median age | 42.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.0–56.3) n=577 |
| Median household income | $56,607 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,386 ($53,469–$103,625) n=556 |
| Median home value | $108,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $168,400 ($90,000–$306,740) n=533 |
| Median gross rent | $713 | $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 | 78.1 yr ± 1.16 | 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 1.16 years of 78.1, 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