Environmental Justice Areas in Iowa — 2026

Out of 842 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	842
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	50108	Grand River	IA	50/100	40/100
22	50158	Marshalltown	IA	50/100	47/100
23	50401	Mason City	IA	50/100	55/100
24	50535	Early	IA	50/100	60/100
25	50551	Jolley	IA	50/100	66/100
26	50552	Knierim	IA	50/100	60/100
27	50557	Lehigh	IA	50/100	44/100
28	50701	Waterloo	IA	50/100	55/100
29	51101	Sioux City	IA	50/100	70/100
30	51540	Hastings	IA	50/100	47/100
31	51555	Missouri Valley	IA	50/100	46/100
32	52310	Monticello	IA	50/100	64/100
33	52341	Toddville	IA	50/100	66/100
34	52402	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	60/100
35	52403	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	55/100
36	52406	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	65/100
37	52407	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	60/100
38	52408	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	65/100
39	52409	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	60/100
40	52410	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	60/100
41	52411	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	65/100
42	52497	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	60/100
43	52498	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	60/100
44	52499	Cedar Rapids	IA	50/100	60/100
45	52588	Selma	IA	50/100	53/100
46	52730	Camanche	IA	50/100	60/100
47	50029	Bayard	IA	49/100	52/100
48	50593	Varina	IA	49/100	56/100
49	50541	Gilmore City	IA	48/100	65/100
50	50853	Massena	IA	48/100	60/100
51	52338	Swisher	IA	48/100	65/100
52	50249	Stratford	IA	46/100	59/100
53	50611	Bristow	IA	46/100	55/100
54	51501	Council Bluffs	IA	46/100	51/100
55	51650	Riverton	IA	46/100	62/100
56	52241	Coralville	IA	46/100	52/100
57	52801	Davenport	IA	46/100	49/100
58	50027	Barnes City	IA	45/100	54/100
59	50067	Decatur	IA	45/100	40/100
60	50262	Van Wert	IA	45/100	40/100
61	50556	Ledyard	IA	45/100	66/100
62	51111	Sioux City	IA	45/100	66/100
63	52544	Centerville	IA	45/100	66/100
64	52555	Exline	IA	45/100	40/100
65	52580	Packwood	IA	45/100	40/100
66	52651	Stockport	IA	45/100	66/100
67	50111	Grimes	IA	44/100	67/100
68	50322	Urbandale	IA	44/100	54/100
69	50575	Pomeroy	IA	44/100	65/100
70	50616	Charles City	IA	44/100	52/100
71	51544	Lewis	IA	44/100	65/100
72	52154	Lawler	IA	44/100	64/100
73	52205	Anamosa	IA	44/100	61/100
74	52242	Iowa City	IA	44/100	51/100
75	52243	Iowa City	IA	44/100	50/100
76	52244	Iowa City	IA	44/100	50/100
77	52245	Iowa City	IA	44/100	51/100
78	52351	Walford	IA	44/100	61/100
79	52307	Middle Amana	IA	43/100	64/100
80	50066	Dawson	IA	42/100	45/100
81	50586	Somers	IA	42/100	44/100
82	52312	Morley	IA	42/100	67/100
83	50131	Johnston	IA	40/100	59/100
84	50135	Kellogg	IA	40/100	70/100
85	50613	Cedar Falls	IA	40/100	54/100
86	51036	Maurice	IA	40/100	66/100
87	52208	Belle Plaine	IA	40/100	44/100
88	52251	Ladora	IA	40/100	42/100
89	50860	Redding	IA	39/100	40/100
90	50042	Brayton	IA	38/100	66/100
91	50065	Davis City	IA	38/100	40/100
92	50068	Derby	IA	38/100	40/100
93	50107	Grand Junction	IA	38/100	65/100
94	50119	Harvey	IA	38/100	70/100
95	50123	Humeston	IA	38/100	61/100
96	50147	Lineville	IA	38/100	55/100
97	50423	Britt	IA	38/100	62/100
98	50455	Mc Intire	IA	38/100	40/100
99	50559	Lone Rock	IA	38/100	66/100
100	50567	Nemaha	IA	38/100	40/100

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: 2026-06-04.

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.