ZIP code
68434
in Seward, NebraskaPopulation 9,099
57.70/ 100
Ranked #6,642 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 21%)
Ranked #115 of 566 Nebraska ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #33 of 46 Lincoln, NE ZIPs (bottom 28%)
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
4.7 pCi/L
in the top 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
26.6%
in the bottom 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
20.5%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
1.1%
in the top 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST72ndUS94thDefinition & 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
10 µg/L
in the bottom 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
7.3%
in the bottom 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST24thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
32.2%
in the bottom 7.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
9.4%
in the bottom 11.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
93 units
in the top 19% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS81stDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Mammography
71.2%
in the bottom 20% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS20thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Seward, Nebraska (ZIP 68434) ranks in the top 21% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,642nd) and the top 20% of Nebraska (115th).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: modeled short sleep resides in the bottom 1.2% nationally. Distance to an emergency room registers at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Lithium in drinking water rests in the bottom 9.5% nationally, modeled housing insecurity stands in the bottom 9.5% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol lies in the bottom 7.1% nationally. Modeled loneliness lands in the bottom 11.6% nationally, and pharmacy sits in the top 12.0% nationally. Set against that, modeled radon is in the top 0.5% nationally, binge drinking settles in the top 4.5% nationally, and nitrate resides in the top 6.4% nationally.
To spell things out, 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. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Close by, ZIP 68314, 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 Lincoln, NE metro area.
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 61%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 22%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 85%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Disability
healthier than 74%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 55%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 43%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 49%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 42%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 44%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 27%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 20%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Healthcare Access
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 24.3; chronic-disease standing 82.2 — 58 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,210 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
68313
Nebraskashares a border
Score 55.34
Closest healthier
68314
Nebraskashares a border
Score 58.71
Similar health profile
30052
Georgia97% similar profile
Score 55.35
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 | 24.9% | 22.1–27.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.6% | 28.1–34.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.9% | 8.1–9.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.3% | 8.1–10.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.2–6.9 |
| Depression among adults | 18.7% | 15.8–21.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.4% | 8.0–10.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.2% | 28.7–35.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.6% | 27.8–39.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.7% | 9.3–14.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.3% | 5.9–9.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.9% | 75.1–80.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.3% | 70.5–77.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.5% | 79.8–84.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.6% | 55.9–66.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.5% | 65.8–72.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 71.2% | 62.4–78.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.5% | 17.2–23.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.2% | 10.3–14.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.8% | 20.0–27.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 26.6% | 21.4–32.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.3% | 12.2–16.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.1% | 12.3–16.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.2% | 9.8–12.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.9% | 10.2–13.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.0% | 24.1–31.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.8% | 6.8–8.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.4% | 9.7–13.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.5–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.2% | 16.3–22.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 7.8–11.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.3–7.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.1–8.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 4.9–6.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.7% | 24.3–33.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.3–6.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.0% (2.6–16.7%) n=578 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.4% (1.6–20.4%) n=579 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.2% (1.5–11.9%) n=578 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 40.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 24.4% (12.1–39.7%) n=578 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.4% (0.0–5.8%) n=579 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.1% (0.0–7.6%) n=578 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (75.9–96.3%) n=578 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.5% (7.6–30.4%) n=578 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.5% (61.0–93.2%) n=578 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.6%) n=578 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.1% (0.0–8.3%) n=579 |
| Single-parent households | 54.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.2% (42.6–77.1%) n=577 |
| Population 65+ | 17.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 21.2% (11.4–34.7%) n=579 |
| Median age | 36.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.0–56.3) n=577 |
| Median household income | $81,466 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,386 ($53,469–$103,625) n=556 |
| Median home value | $271,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $168,400 ($90,000–$306,740) n=533 |
| Median gross rent | $1,035 | $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 | 79.7 yr ± 0.73 | 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 0.73 years of 79.7, 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