ZIP code
68438
in Sprague, NebraskaPopulation 176
64.90/ 100
Ranked #2,038 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 6.4%)
Ranked #24 of 566 Nebraska ZIPs (top 4.3%)
Ranked #12 of 46 Lincoln, NE ZIPs (top 26%)
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.
Fiber broadband
100%
at the national maximum
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the bottom 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
5.8%
in the bottom 2.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the bottom 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
27.1%
in the bottom 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.4%
in the bottom 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
3.9%
in the bottom 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.4 pCi/L
in the top 6.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST43rdUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Food insecurity
7.0%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
20.3%
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Overall, Sprague, Nebraska (ZIP 68438) lands in the top 6.4% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,038th) and the top 4.3% of Nebraska (24th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: fiber broadband stands at the national maximum, and modeled expected annual loss lies in the bottom 1.7% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity lands in the bottom 2.1% nationally, and disaster risk sits in the bottom 2.4% nationally. Modeled short sleep is in the bottom 1.7% nationally, transportation settles in the bottom 3.2% nationally, and utility shutoff resides in the bottom 3.3% nationally. Modeled food insecurity registers in the bottom 3.6% nationally. On the other side, modeled radon rests in the top 6.0% nationally, and binge drinking stands in the top 5.2% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 68430, about 0.3 miles away, ranks better 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 85%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 87%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 96%
8%
Disability
healthier than 88%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 44%
14%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 13%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 83%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 96%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 98%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 88%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 52%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 51%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 62%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 84%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 82%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 84%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 84%
8%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 16%
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
68404
Nebraskashares a border
Score 63.90
Closest healthier
68430
Nebraskaabout 0.3 mi away
Score 65.83
Similar health profile
07979
New Jersey99% similar profile
Score 69.55
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 | 25.3% | 23.0–27.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.7% | 30.2–35.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.3% | 9.2–11.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.6–7.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.2–6.4 |
| Depression among adults | 18.2% | 16.1–20.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.6% | 8.2–11.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.7% | 31.2–36.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.5% | 28.3–34.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.5–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 4.7% | 3.7–5.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.3% | 4.8–8.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.3% | 77.8–82.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.7% | 75.2–79.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.1% | 83.9–88.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 73.0% | 69.5–76.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 72.7% | 70.2–75.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.8% | 71.9–82.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.3% | 18.1–22.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.7% | 7.5–12.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.0% | 14.9–21.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 27.1% | 23.9–30.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.6% | 10.4–15.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 12.2% | 10.6–13.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 9.7% | 8.2–11.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.1–11.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 24.9% | 21.6–28.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.2–9.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.7% | 4.8–6.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.5% | 8.5–12.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.5% | 2.0–3.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.7–3.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.2% | 16.1–22.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 5.3–9.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 4.5% | 3.3–6.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 4.6–7.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.4% | 3.5–5.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.5% | 25.0–32.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 3.9% | 3.1–4.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 19.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.0% (2.6–16.7%) n=578 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.4% (1.6–20.4%) n=579 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.2% (1.5–11.9%) n=578 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 32.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 24.4% (12.1–39.7%) n=578 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 9.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.4% (0.0–5.8%) n=579 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.1% (0.0–7.6%) n=578 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (75.9–96.3%) n=578 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.5% (7.6–30.4%) n=578 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.8% | 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 | 0.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.1% (0.0–8.3%) n=579 |
| Single-parent households | 51.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.2% (42.6–77.1%) n=577 |
| Population 65+ | 18.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 21.2% (11.4–34.7%) n=579 |
| Median age | 32.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.0–56.3) n=577 |
| Median household income | $81,250 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,386 ($53,469–$103,625) n=556 |
| Median home value | $197,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $168,400 ($90,000–$306,740) n=533 |
| Median gross rent | $1,607 | $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 | 80.2 yr ± 1.97 | 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 1.97 years of 80.2, 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