ZIP code
12092
in Howes Cave, New YorkPopulation 1,208
54.38/ 100
Ranked #10,222 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 32%)
Ranked #1,106 of 1,730 New York ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #90 of 114 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ZIPs (bottom 21%)
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.
Lithium in drinking water
920 µg/L
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
0 per 100,000 residents per year
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
15.5 mi
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility
16.7 mi
in the top 6.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest facility that handles enough hazardous chemicals to require an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
14.3%
in the top 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
25.7%
in the top 10.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
76.1%
in the bottom 11.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
16 mi
in the top 11.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS89thDefinition & 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 ›Uninsured (under 65)
5.5%
in the bottom 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST42ndUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
0.53%
in the top 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS81stDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, Howes Cave, New York (ZIP 12092) comes out in the top 32% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,222nd) and the bottom 36% of New York (1,106th).
Both sides of the picture show up plainly in this area's numbers: fatal road crashes resides at the national minimum, and distance to a hazardous-chemical facility rests in the top 6.8% nationally. Modeled extreme heat lies at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. By contrast, lithium in drinking water sits at the national maximum, and distance to a nursing home settles in the top 5.1% nationally. Households without a vehicle registers in the top 8.0% nationally, and poverty stands in the top 10.2% nationally. Home broadband subscription lands in the bottom 11.2% nationally, and distance to a community health center is in the top 11.2% nationally. Modeled transportation noise resides in the top 12.5% nationally.
In plain terms, lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 12035, 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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 77%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 84%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 63%
8%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 30%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 81%
14%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Disability
healthier than 41%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 25%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 69%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 37%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 18%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 37%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
12035
New Yorkshares a border
Score 54.74
Closest healthier
12043
New Yorkshares a border
Score 56.33
Similar health profile
50654
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 52.98
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 | 28.0% | 25.0–31.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.9% | 31.2–38.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.8% | 8.9–10.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.4% | 10.1–12.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.6–8.6 |
| Depression among adults | 21.0% | 18.1–24.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.5% | 9.1–12.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.0% | 34.0–42.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.6% | 26.5–39.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.4% | 11.2–16.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.5% | 4.6–6.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.5% | 74.8–80.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.6% | 77.5–83.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.6% | 87.0–90.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.8% | 68.0–76.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.2% | 62.4–68.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.6% | 71.6–84.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.0% | 15.1–21.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.7% | 11.6–15.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.1% | 20.2–28.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.4% | 32.1–44.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.7% | 14.4–19.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.8% | 14.9–18.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.7% | 12.1–15.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.3–14.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.6% | 23.9–31.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.7–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.1–9.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.4% | 11.5–15.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.2–4.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.0–5.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.6% | 19.0–26.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.2% | 9.9–14.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.2% | 9.2–13.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 8.8–12.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.1–8.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.0% | 27.0–37.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.6–7.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NY median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 25.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.5% (2.5–22.6%) n=1,734 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 0.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.0% (0.0–13.1%) n=1,734 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.1% (1.2–17.5%) n=1,743 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 28.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.8% (13.9–62.1%) n=1,743 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (0.0–9.7%) n=1,730 |
| Households without a vehicle | 14.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 5.7% (0.0–28.9%) n=1,730 |
| Broadband subscription | 76.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.5% (81.1–98.3%) n=1,730 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.2% (14.2–45.5%) n=1,730 |
| Homeownership rate | 64.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.2% (40.9–94.8%) n=1,730 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.0% (0.0–6.6%) n=1,730 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.8% (0.0–28.7%) n=1,746 |
| Single-parent households | 58.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.0% (36.7–74.5%) n=1,716 |
| Population 65+ | 23.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.0% (12.0–33.2%) n=1,746 |
| Median age | 45.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.6–56.1) n=1,733 |
| Median household income | $58,615 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $81,837 ($55,470–$145,610) n=1,626 |
| Median home value | $217,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $247,700 ($121,180–$801,380) n=1,629 |
| Median gross rent | $1,039 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,162 ($782–$2,359) n=1,367 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NY median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 82.3 yr ± 1.37 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 80.9 yr (78.0–84.5) n=1,692 |
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 1.37 years of 82.3, 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