ZIP code
68786
in Wausa, NebraskaPopulation 1,080
55.33/ 100
Ranked #9,057 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 28%)
Ranked #220 of 566 Nebraska ZIPs (top 39%)
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
4.5 pCi/L
in the top 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Pharmacy access
1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies 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 ›Child-care access
1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.25%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST64thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
19.8 mi
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST56thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›Recreation access
1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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
29.8%
in the bottom 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST46thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
2.8%
in the bottom 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.0%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, Wausa, Nebraska (ZIP 68786) ranks in the top 28% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,057th) and the top 39% of Nebraska (220th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
The measures split the difference for this area: pharmacy is in the top 1.0% nationally, and childcare stands in the top 2.2% nationally. Dental providers settles in the top 6.5% nationally, and recreation lies in the top 8.6% nationally. Modeled short sleep resides in the bottom 8.8% nationally, and poverty lands in the bottom 9.1% nationally. Against that, modeled radon registers in the top 0.7% nationally, modeled nitrate sits in the top 7.8% nationally, and distance to a community health center rests in the top 8.3% nationally. Modeled fine-particle is in the top 9.5% nationally.
In plainer terms, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 68739, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 69%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 63%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 96%
8%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 56%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 56%
16%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 82%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 69%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 70%
8%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 48%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Disability
healthier than 36%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
68718
Nebraskashares a border
Score 53.67
Closest healthier
68739
Nebraskashares a border
Score 58.56
Similar health profile
68846
Nebraska99% similar profile
Score 56.33
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 | 29.5% | 26.5–32.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.0% | 32.5–39.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.0% | 9.9–12.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.0–9.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.3–8.7 |
| Depression among adults | 16.6% | 14.1–19.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.9% | 10.4–13.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.8% | 33.1–40.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.1% | 31.3–43.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.4% | 10.1–15.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.6% | 6.1–9.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 82.3% | 79.8–84.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.7% | 74.5–80.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.8% | 83.8–87.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.3% | 62.6–71.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.6% | 64.4–71.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.0% | 69.9–83.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.5% | 15.7–21.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.6% | 11.4–15.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.5% | 22.4–30.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 29.8% | 24.5–35.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.2% | 13.6–18.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.4% | 11.9–15.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.7% | 11.0–14.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.1–13.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.5% | 26.5–34.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.8% | 8.7–11.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.4–8.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.4% | 12.1–16.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.0–4.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.5% | 3.9–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.6% | 16.4–22.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.9% | 7.9–12.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 5.5–8.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.0–8.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.7–6.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.9% | 24.2–33.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.3–6.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 2.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.0% (2.6–16.7%) n=578 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.4% (1.6–20.4%) n=579 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.2% (1.5–11.9%) n=578 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 24.4% (12.1–39.7%) n=578 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.2% | 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 | 87.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (75.9–96.3%) n=578 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.5% (7.6–30.4%) n=578 |
| Homeownership rate | 81.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.5% (61.0–93.2%) n=578 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.6%) n=578 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.1% (0.0–8.3%) n=579 |
| Single-parent households | 60.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.2% (42.6–77.1%) n=577 |
| Population 65+ | 25.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 21.2% (11.4–34.7%) n=579 |
| Median age | 44.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.0–56.3) n=577 |
| Median household income | $78,750 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,386 ($53,469–$103,625) n=556 |
| Median home value | $103,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $168,400 ($90,000–$306,740) n=533 |
| Median gross rent | $765 | $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 | 79.2 yr ± 1.20 | 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 1.20 years of 79.2, 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