Out of 753 ZIP codes with data in Iowa, these are the highest-ranked areas for ej index. See also: National ZIP Codes with Highest Environmental Justice Concern | All Iowa Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 753 |
| Highest value | 80/100 |
| Median value | 20/100 |
| State | Iowa |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | EJ Index | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50112 | Grinnell | IA | 80/100 | 36/100 |
| 2 | 51451 | Lanesboro | IA | 75/100 | 50/100 |
| 3 | 52401 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 75/100 | 55/100 |
| 4 | 52556 | Fairfield | IA | 66/100 | 61/100 |
| 5 | 52001 | Dubuque | IA | 62/100 | 59/100 |
| 6 | 52240 | Iowa City | IA | 62/100 | 46/100 |
| 7 | 52246 | Iowa City | IA | 62/100 | 46/100 |
| 8 | 50144 | Leon | IA | 60/100 | 60/100 |
| 9 | 50501 | Fort Dodge | IA | 60/100 | 35/100 |
| 10 | 50562 | Mallard | IA | 60/100 | 46/100 |
| 11 | 52301 | Marengo | IA | 60/100 | 50/100 |
| 12 | 52322 | Oxford | IA | 60/100 | 55/100 |
| 13 | 52404 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 60/100 | 50/100 |
| 14 | 52405 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 60/100 | 50/100 |
| 15 | 50140 | Lamoni | IA | 58/100 | 65/100 |
| 16 | 50128 | Jamaica | IA | 56/100 | 32/100 |
| 17 | 50213 | Osceola | IA | 56/100 | 56/100 |
| 18 | 50009 | Altoona | IA | 54/100 | 65/100 |
| 19 | 51440 | Dedham | IA | 54/100 | 50/100 |
| 20 | 52761 | Muscatine | IA | 52/100 | 54/100 |
| 21 | 50158 | Marshalltown | IA | 50/100 | 47/100 |
| 22 | 50401 | Mason City | IA | 50/100 | 55/100 |
| 23 | 50535 | Early | IA | 50/100 | 60/100 |
| 24 | 50552 | Knierim | IA | 50/100 | 60/100 |
| 25 | 50557 | Lehigh | IA | 50/100 | 44/100 |
| 26 | 51101 | Sioux City | IA | 50/100 | 70/100 |
| 27 | 51540 | Hastings | IA | 50/100 | 47/100 |
| 28 | 51555 | Missouri Valley | IA | 50/100 | 46/100 |
| 29 | 52310 | Monticello | IA | 50/100 | 64/100 |
| 30 | 52341 | Toddville | IA | 50/100 | 66/100 |
| 31 | 52402 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 60/100 |
| 32 | 52403 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 55/100 |
| 33 | 52406 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 65/100 |
| 34 | 52407 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 60/100 |
| 35 | 52408 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 65/100 |
| 36 | 52409 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 60/100 |
| 37 | 52410 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 60/100 |
| 38 | 52411 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 65/100 |
| 39 | 52497 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 60/100 |
| 40 | 52498 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 60/100 |
| 41 | 52499 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 50/100 | 60/100 |
| 42 | 52730 | Camanche | IA | 50/100 | 60/100 |
| 43 | 50029 | Bayard | IA | 49/100 | 52/100 |
| 44 | 50593 | Varina | IA | 49/100 | 56/100 |
| 45 | 50541 | Gilmore City | IA | 48/100 | 65/100 |
| 46 | 50853 | Massena | IA | 48/100 | 60/100 |
| 47 | 52338 | Swisher | IA | 48/100 | 65/100 |
| 48 | 50249 | Stratford | IA | 46/100 | 59/100 |
| 49 | 50611 | Bristow | IA | 46/100 | 55/100 |
| 50 | 51501 | Council Bluffs | IA | 46/100 | 51/100 |
| 51 | 51650 | Riverton | IA | 46/100 | 62/100 |
| 52 | 52241 | Coralville | IA | 46/100 | 52/100 |
| 53 | 52801 | Davenport | IA | 46/100 | 49/100 |
| 54 | 50027 | Barnes City | IA | 45/100 | 54/100 |
| 55 | 50556 | Ledyard | IA | 45/100 | 66/100 |
| 56 | 51111 | Sioux City | IA | 45/100 | 66/100 |
| 57 | 52544 | Centerville | IA | 45/100 | 66/100 |
| 58 | 50111 | Grimes | IA | 44/100 | 67/100 |
| 59 | 50322 | Urbandale | IA | 44/100 | 54/100 |
| 60 | 50575 | Pomeroy | IA | 44/100 | 65/100 |
| 61 | 50616 | Charles City | IA | 44/100 | 52/100 |
| 62 | 51544 | Lewis | IA | 44/100 | 65/100 |
| 63 | 52154 | Lawler | IA | 44/100 | 64/100 |
| 64 | 52205 | Anamosa | IA | 44/100 | 61/100 |
| 65 | 52242 | Iowa City | IA | 44/100 | 51/100 |
| 66 | 52243 | Iowa City | IA | 44/100 | 50/100 |
| 67 | 52244 | Iowa City | IA | 44/100 | 50/100 |
| 68 | 52245 | Iowa City | IA | 44/100 | 51/100 |
| 69 | 52351 | Walford | IA | 44/100 | 61/100 |
| 70 | 52307 | Middle Amana | IA | 43/100 | 64/100 |
| 71 | 50066 | Dawson | IA | 42/100 | 45/100 |
| 72 | 50586 | Somers | IA | 42/100 | 44/100 |
| 73 | 52312 | Morley | IA | 42/100 | 67/100 |
| 74 | 50135 | Kellogg | IA | 40/100 | 70/100 |
| 75 | 50613 | Cedar Falls | IA | 40/100 | 54/100 |
| 76 | 52208 | Belle Plaine | IA | 40/100 | 44/100 |
| 77 | 52251 | Ladora | IA | 40/100 | 42/100 |
| 78 | 50042 | Brayton | IA | 38/100 | 66/100 |
| 79 | 50107 | Grand Junction | IA | 38/100 | 65/100 |
| 80 | 50119 | Harvey | IA | 38/100 | 70/100 |
| 81 | 50123 | Humeston | IA | 38/100 | 61/100 |
| 82 | 50423 | Britt | IA | 38/100 | 62/100 |
| 83 | 50559 | Lone Rock | IA | 38/100 | 66/100 |
| 84 | 50641 | Hazleton | IA | 38/100 | 61/100 |
| 85 | 50650 | Lamont | IA | 38/100 | 49/100 |
| 86 | 50703 | Waterloo | IA | 38/100 | 60/100 |
| 87 | 51049 | Quimby | IA | 38/100 | 66/100 |
| 88 | 51060 | Ute | IA | 38/100 | 65/100 |
| 89 | 51105 | Sioux City | IA | 38/100 | 70/100 |
| 90 | 51431 | Arthur | IA | 38/100 | 66/100 |
| 91 | 51441 | Deloit | IA | 38/100 | 69/100 |
| 92 | 51448 | Kiron | IA | 38/100 | 70/100 |
| 93 | 51543 | Kimballton | IA | 38/100 | 40/100 |
| 94 | 51545 | Little Sioux | IA | 38/100 | 65/100 |
| 95 | 51632 | Clarinda | IA | 38/100 | 70/100 |
| 96 | 52142 | Fayette | IA | 38/100 | 70/100 |
| 97 | 52172 | Waukon | IA | 38/100 | 65/100 |
| 98 | 52215 | Chelsea | IA | 38/100 | 54/100 |
| 99 | 52233 | Hiawatha | IA | 38/100 | 62/100 |
| 100 | 52306 | Mechanicsville | IA | 38/100 | 61/100 |
Methodology
The Environmental Justice Index combines environmental risk factors (water violations, lead, flooding) with socioeconomic vulnerability indicators. Higher values indicate communities facing disproportionate environmental burden. This metric highlights areas where infrastructure investment and policy attention are most needed.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Environmental Justice Index?
The EJ Index identifies communities that face disproportionate environmental hazards relative to their socioeconomic resilience. Areas with high violation counts, aging infrastructure, AND vulnerable populations score highest. These areas need the most infrastructure investment.
Why does environmental justice matter for homebuyers?
High EJ Index areas often have deferred infrastructure maintenance, slower violation resolution, and less access to clean water alternatives. For homebuyers, this means potential hidden costs for water filtration, flood insurance, and home remediation.
Explore More Rankings
- Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Water in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with Most EPA Violations in Iowa
- Lowest Home Safety Scores in Iowa
- Safest ZIP Codes in Iowa — Highest Safety Scores
- ZIP Codes with Highest Flood Risk in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with Highest Energy Costs in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with Highest Radon Risk in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with PFAS Detections in Iowa
- Least Reliable Water Systems in Iowa
- Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors
- ZIP Codes with Worst CO & Gas Risk in Iowa
- Safest ZIP Codes for Gas & CO Risk in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with Worst Wildfire Smoke Risk
- Safest ZIP Codes for Wildfire Smoke
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