ZIP code
68601
in Columbus, NebraskaPopulation 30,944
52.41/ 100
Ranked #12,893 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 40%)
Ranked #377 of 566 Nebraska ZIPs (bottom 33%)
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.
Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.3 pCi/L
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST41stUS93rdDefinition & 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
28.7%
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST22ndUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
28.1%
in the bottom 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST46thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
33.6%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.01%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST61stUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
207 units
in the top 11.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›The read
In its overall standing, Columbus, Nebraska (ZIP 68601) lands in the top 40% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,893rd) and the bottom 33% of Nebraska (377th).
This area's measures are easy to read as a mixed set: distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled short sleep rests in the bottom 4.9% nationally, and loneliness registers in the bottom 7.9% nationally. Set against that, modeled industrial-pollution burden resides in the top 0.2% nationally, and disaster risk settles in the top 1.5% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site is at the national minimum, and modeled expected annual loss sits in the top 2.2% nationally. Modeled radon lands in the top 7.0% nationally, and floodplain exposure lies in the top 8.5% nationally. Modeled nitrate stands in the top 8.5% nationally.
Against the wider neighborhood, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put simply, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. On the overall standing, ZIP 68624, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 69%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 67%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 95%
8%
Disability
healthier than 64%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 60%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.3%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 33%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 16%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 61%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 62%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 66%
8%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 41%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.00%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 6%
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
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 80.2 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $68,480 predicts 78.6 years — 1.6 years above.
Ranked #1,202 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 0.2 (bottom 1%); chronic-disease standing 68.9 — 69 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,282 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
68624
Nebraskashares a border
Score 52.84
Closest healthier
68629
Nebraskashares a border
Score 55.78
Similar health profile
51023
Iowa95% similar profile
Score 51.75
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 | 25.5% | 23.1–28.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.7% | 31.6–37.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.7% | 7.9–9.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.8% | 7.9–9.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.5 |
| Depression among adults | 16.2% | 14.0–18.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.8% | 10.4–13.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.8% | 31.7–38.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.3% | 37.4–47.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.2–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.0% | 10.9–15.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.9% | 11.4–14.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.3% | 75.8–80.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.4% | 73.3–79.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.0% | 82.3–85.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.9% | 58.5–67.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.0% | 58.8–65.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.8% | 71.5–83.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.9% | 16.2–21.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.1% | 12.4–16.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.8% | 24.5–31.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.7% | 24.3–33.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.4% | 15.5–19.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.8% | 12.4–15.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.7% | 11.3–14.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.5% | 11.2–14.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.2% | 26.1–32.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.3–9.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.3% | 11.7–15.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.4% | 18.5–24.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.0% | 12.2–16.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.5–11.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 9.0–12.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.3–8.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.1% | 24.2–32.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.9% | 6.0–8.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.0% (2.6–16.7%) n=578 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.4% (1.6–20.4%) n=579 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.2% (1.5–11.9%) n=578 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 24.4% (12.1–39.7%) n=578 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.1% | 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 | 88.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (75.9–96.3%) n=578 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.5% (7.6–30.4%) n=578 |
| Homeownership rate | 69.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.5% (61.0–93.2%) n=578 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.6%) n=578 |
| Foreign-born population | 13.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.1% (0.0–8.3%) n=579 |
| Single-parent households | 49.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.2% (42.6–77.1%) n=577 |
| Population 65+ | 18.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 21.2% (11.4–34.7%) n=579 |
| Median age | 37.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.0–56.3) n=577 |
| Median household income | $68,480 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,386 ($53,469–$103,625) n=556 |
| Median home value | $221,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $168,400 ($90,000–$306,740) n=533 |
| Median gross rent | $897 | $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 ± 0.55 | 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 0.55 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