ZIP code
68521
in Lincoln, NebraskaPopulation 37,050
54.09/ 100
Ranked #10,586 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 33%)
Ranked #280 of 566 Nebraska ZIPs (top 49%)
Ranked #41 of 46 Lincoln, NE ZIPs (bottom 10.9%)
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
99.6%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
29.9%
in the bottom 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
20.6%
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
518 units
in the top 4.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
57.5%
in the bottom 8.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
29.5%
in the bottom 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Walkability
86 intersections/sq mi
in the top 12.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS87thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
57.8%
in the bottom 14.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 68521, one of several in Lincoln, Nebraska, on the composite measure, lands in the top 33% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,586th) and the top 49% of Nebraska (280th).
Where this area does well, the measures make it plain: fiber broadband lies in the top 3.0% nationally, modeled high cholesterol settles in the bottom 3.3% nationally, and subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 4.3% nationally. Distance to a community health center is at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled high blood pressure rests in the bottom 9.6% nationally, and walkability sits in the top 12.7% nationally. Against that, modeled binge drinking registers in the top 4.2% nationally, and expected annual loss lands in the top 5.3% nationally. Modeled disaster risk resides in the top 7.3% nationally, and colon screening lies in the bottom 8.2% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, 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. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 68528, 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 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 68%
8%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 46%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 90%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Disability
healthier than 54%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 3%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 67%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 31%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 7%
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
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 11.7; chronic-disease standing 87.7 — 76 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,921 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
68504
Nebraskashares a border
Score 51.78
Closest healthier
68528
Nebraskashares a border
Score 56.90
Similar health profile
30566
Georgia99% similar profile
Score 52.96
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 | 21.2% | 19.5–22.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.5% | 27.3–31.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–6.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.5–6.8 |
| Depression among adults | 21.2% | 19.0–23.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.2% | 9.1–11.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 29.9% | 27.6–31.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.3% | 33.1–39.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.7% | 10.5–15.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.5% | 10.0–12.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.0% | 71.6–76.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.9% | 71.4–76.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 79.5% | 77.6–81.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 57.5% | 53.5–61.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.4% | 58.5–64.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.8% | 67.8–79.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 20.6% | 18.5–22.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.5% | 12.8–16.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.6% | 21.1–25.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.0% | 28.5–35.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.7% | 15.9–19.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.1% | 14.4–17.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.3% | 10.1–12.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.5–15.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.0% | 25.4–30.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.4% | 10.2–12.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.5–5.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.8% | 20.0–25.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.5% | 14.5–18.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.0% | 11.3–15.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.1% | 10.6–13.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.8–9.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.5% | 29.1–36.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.3–9.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.0% (2.6–16.7%) n=578 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.4% (1.6–20.4%) n=579 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.2% (1.5–11.9%) n=578 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 33.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 24.4% (12.1–39.7%) n=578 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.4% (0.0–5.8%) n=579 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.1% (0.0–7.6%) n=578 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (75.9–96.3%) n=578 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.5% (7.6–30.4%) n=578 |
| Homeownership rate | 57.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.5% (61.0–93.2%) n=578 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.6%) n=578 |
| Foreign-born population | 13.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.1% (0.0–8.3%) n=579 |
| Single-parent households | 41.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.2% (42.6–77.1%) n=577 |
| Population 65+ | 11.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 21.2% (11.4–34.7%) n=579 |
| Median age | 33.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.0–56.3) n=577 |
| Median household income | $67,483 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,386 ($53,469–$103,625) n=556 |
| Median home value | $252,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $168,400 ($90,000–$306,740) n=533 |
| Median gross rent | $1,231 | $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 | 78.3 yr ± 0.95 | 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 0.95 years of 78.3, 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