ZIP code
68731
in Dakota City, NebraskaPopulation 3,469
50.41/ 100
Ranked #15,686 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 49%)
Ranked #460 of 566 Nebraska ZIPs (bottom 19%)
Ranked #18 of 30 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ZIPs (bottom 40%)
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 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
31.8%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Child-care access
0.69 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST81stUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
6.7%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
56.8%
in the bottom 7.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST4thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
7.4%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.0%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of days in the year when modeled fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution was above the EPA’s daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
Full methodology ›Obesity
43.1%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
14.6%
in the top 12.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
39.9%
in the top 22% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS78thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›The read
Judged by its overall standing, Dakota City, Nebraska (ZIP 68731) sits in the top 49% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,686th) and the bottom 19% of Nebraska (460th).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: childcare lands in the top 5.3% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled radon rests in the top 0.6% nationally, modeled transportation noise settles in the top 1.1% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure lands in the top 5.6% nationally. Modeled colon screening rests in the bottom 7.1% nationally, and crowded housing settles in the top 7.8% nationally. Modeled fine-particle lands in the top 9.5% nationally, and obesity rests in the top 8.6% nationally. Modeled binge drinking settles in the top 11.2% nationally, and home broadband subscription lands in the bottom 13.0% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, transportation noise runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put plainly, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 51054, 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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD 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 74%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 93%
8%
Disability
healthier than 63%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 51%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.8%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 11%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 29%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 42%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.3%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 69%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 97%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 48%
16%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 3%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 28%
11%
“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 0.8 (bottom 1%); chronic-disease standing 74.0 — 73 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,677 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
51054
Iowashares a border
Score 57.19
Closest healthier
68776
Nebraskashares a border
Score 52.11
Similar health profile
68701
Nebraska94% similar profile
Score 54.73
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 | 22.5% | 20.2–24.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.6% | 28.6–34.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.2% | 6.5–7.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–10.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.8–7.5 |
| Depression among adults | 16.6% | 14.3–19.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.2% | 10.8–13.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.1% | 30.9–37.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.1% | 38.1–47.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.4% | 12.7–18.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 14.6% | 12.4–17.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.0% | 74.2–79.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.7% | 71.5–77.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.5% | 79.4–83.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 56.8% | 52.2–61.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 58.3% | 54.8–61.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 71.7% | 64.6–78.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.0% | 16.3–21.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.1% | 13.0–17.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.9% | 27.1–34.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.3% | 28.7–38.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.7% | 16.4–21.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.8–16.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–14.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.3% | 11.7–14.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.8% | 27.4–34.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.0–8.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.3% | 11.6–15.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.6% | 22.0–29.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.2% | 13.5–18.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.3% | 8.5–12.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.3% | 10.4–14.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 7.0–9.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.3% | 27.8–37.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.5–8.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.0% (2.6–16.7%) n=578 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 13.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.4% (1.6–20.4%) n=579 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 20.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.2% (1.5–11.9%) n=578 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 11.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 24.4% (12.1–39.7%) n=578 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 1.4% (0.0–5.8%) n=579 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.1% (0.0–7.6%) n=578 |
| Broadband subscription | 77.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (75.9–96.3%) n=578 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 25.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.5% (7.6–30.4%) n=578 |
| Homeownership rate | 85.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.5% (61.0–93.2%) n=578 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 7.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.6%) n=578 |
| Foreign-born population | 14.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.1% (0.0–8.3%) n=579 |
| Single-parent households | 55.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.2% (42.6–77.1%) n=577 |
| Population 65+ | 15.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 21.2% (11.4–34.7%) n=579 |
| Median age | 36.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.0–56.3) n=577 |
| Median household income | $79,924 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,386 ($53,469–$103,625) n=556 |
| Median home value | $205,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $168,400 ($90,000–$306,740) n=533 |
| Median gross rent | $667 | $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 | 78.7 yr ± 1.16 | 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 1.16 years of 78.7, 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