ZIP code
68506
in Lincoln, NebraskaPopulation 27,531
61.14/ 100
Ranked #4,038 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 12.6%)
Ranked #52 of 566 Nebraska ZIPs (top 9.2%)
Ranked #22 of 46 Lincoln, NE ZIPs (top 48%)
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
3.7 pCi/L
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST54thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
1.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices located 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 ›Short sleep
27.9%
in the bottom 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
99.1%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
1.1 per 100,000 residents per year
in the bottom 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS5thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Physician access
2.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices located 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
120 intersections/sq mi
in the top 7.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
4.6%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›The read
By its overall health score, ZIP 68506, one of several in Lincoln, Nebraska lands in the top 12.6% healthiest ZIPs nationally (4,038th) and the top 9.2% of Nebraska (52nd).
The measures split the difference for this area: dental providers lands in the top 2.6% nationally, and modeled short sleep registers in the bottom 2.9% nationally. Fiber broadband sits in the top 4.5% nationally, and fatal road crashes rests in the bottom 4.7% nationally. Distance to an emergency room is at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Physicians stands in the top 5.8% nationally, and walkability settles in the top 7.9% nationally. Against that, modeled radon lies in the top 3.4% nationally, tree cover resides at the national minimum, and expected annual loss lands in the top 6.9% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 68516, just across the boundary.
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 77%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 77%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 87%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 97%
11%
Disability
healthier than 73%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 76%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 78%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 24%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Disability
healthier than 22%
7%
“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
2 of our published findings list 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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 81.0 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $72,637 predicts 78.8 years — 2.2 years above.
Ranked #824 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 13.2; chronic-disease standing 77.0 — 64 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,778 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
68502
Nebraskashares a border
Score 55.97
Closest healthier
68516
Nebraskashares a border
Score 66.37
Similar health profile
30064
Georgia100% similar profile
Score 63.24
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 | 26.8% | 24.7–28.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.5% | 31.2–35.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.0% | 9.2–10.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.2% | 8.2–10.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.6% | 6.0–7.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.8 |
| Depression among adults | 19.9% | 17.8–21.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.9% | 31.4–36.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.8% | 30.8–36.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.8% | 6.4–9.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.6% | 6.6–8.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.5% | 78.4–82.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.3% | 76.1–80.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.6% | 84.1–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.7% | 64.0–71.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 71.6% | 69.0–74.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.6% | 72.2–82.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.8% | 16.8–20.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.9% | 9.5–12.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.3% | 18.1–22.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 27.9% | 24.7–31.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.6% | 13.1–16.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.3% | 12.0–14.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.7% | 9.5–11.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.8% | 24.4–29.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.3–9.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.7–13.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 18.9% | 16.5–21.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 8.2–11.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 5.9–8.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.5–8.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.9% | 25.7–32.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.6–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.0% (2.6–16.7%) n=578 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.4% (1.6–20.4%) n=579 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.2% (1.5–11.9%) n=578 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 47.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 24.4% (12.1–39.7%) n=578 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.4% (0.0–5.8%) n=579 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.1% (0.0–7.6%) n=578 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (75.9–96.3%) n=578 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.5% (7.6–30.4%) n=578 |
| Homeownership rate | 64.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.5% (61.0–93.2%) n=578 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.6%) n=578 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.1% (0.0–8.3%) n=579 |
| Single-parent households | 55.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.2% (42.6–77.1%) n=577 |
| Population 65+ | 23.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 21.2% (11.4–34.7%) n=579 |
| Median age | 41.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.0–56.3) n=577 |
| Median household income | $72,637 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,386 ($53,469–$103,625) n=556 |
| Median home value | $258,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $168,400 ($90,000–$306,740) n=533 |
| Median gross rent | $1,180 | $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 | 81.0 yr ± 0.58 | 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 0.58 years of 81.0, 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