ZIP code
46227
in Indianapolis, IndianaPopulation 57,587
46.07/ 100
Ranked #21,276 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 34%)
Ranked #502 of 757 Indiana ZIPs (bottom 34%)
Ranked #97 of 115 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN ZIPs (bottom 16%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
1,484 units
in the top 0.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
78.1%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Lithium in drinking water
9.5 µg/L
in the bottom 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
44.9%
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST4thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
2.0%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
4.0%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
9.7%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Lead in tap water
5.1 ppb
in the top 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
US90thDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›PFAS in drinking water
99.8%
in the top 10.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were detected in EPA testing.
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 ›The read
ZIP 46227, one of several in Indianapolis, Indiana ranks in the bottom 34% nationally (21,276th) and the bottom 34% of Indiana (502nd).
A number of readings press hard on the profile and set its tone: modeled pfas lands in the top 2.3% nationally, and expected annual loss settles in the top 6.4% nationally. Homeownership rests in the bottom 6.8% nationally, and modeled loud transportation noise lands in the top 7.8% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure settles in the top 9.0% nationally, modeled transportation noise rests in the top 9.0% nationally, and lead in tap water lands in the top 9.6% nationally. On the brighter side, subsidized affordable housing settles in the top 0.7% nationally, and lithium in drinking water rests in the bottom 3.9% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs.
Against its neighbors, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 46143, 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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 57%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 51%
16%
Disability
healthier than 42%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 50%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 20%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
Disability
healthier than 32%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 61%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 64%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 25%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 14%
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 ›
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 76.6 ± 0.8 years. A median household income of $53,629 predicts 77.6 years — 1.0 years below.
Ranked #1,464 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
46143
Indianashares a border
Score 56.82
Closest healthier
46217
Indianashares a border
Score 52.65
Similar health profile
43228
Ohio99% similar profile
Score 44.75
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 | 25.0% | 23.2–26.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.0% | 33.8–38.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.9% | 6.4–7.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.4–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.8–6.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.8–9.3 |
| Depression among adults | 26.9% | 24.6–29.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.3% | 11.2–13.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.5% | 34.3–38.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.1% | 32.1–38.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 19.1% | 16.5–21.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.0% | 10.6–13.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.0% | 71.8–76.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.1% | 74.7–79.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.7% | 79.9–83.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.3% | 61.0–67.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 56.1% | 53.5–58.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.8% | 69.8–79.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.5% | 15.6–19.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.1% | 15.3–18.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.6% | 24.1–29.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.9% | 35.8–41.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.7% | 20.8–24.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.1% | 17.5–20.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.6% | 13.2–15.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.4% | 15.8–19.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.6% | 30.1–35.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.7–10.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.5% | 13.2–15.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.8–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.0% | 23.7–28.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.5% | 18.6–22.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.8% | 11.3–14.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.8% | 12.4–15.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 9.3–11.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.1% | 34.3–39.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.8% (3.3–23.6%) n=764 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 14.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (2.5–19.0%) n=761 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 16.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.8% (3.0–19.3%) n=766 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 21.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.4% (8.1–38.5%) n=766 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.4% (0.0–8.2%) n=760 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.5%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (76.7–95.9%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 38.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.0% (9.8–33.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 44.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.7% (58.9–94.5%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–4.2%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 16.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–8.8%) n=767 |
| Single-parent households | 42.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.2% (40.5–69.1%) n=756 |
| Population 65+ | 14.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.2% (11.0–26.5%) n=767 |
| Median age | 32.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.5 yr (32.5–49.6) n=756 |
| Median household income | $53,629 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $71,016 ($50,417–$99,531) n=721 |
| Median home value | $210,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $178,250 ($109,430–$287,310) n=724 |
| Median gross rent | $1,035 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $925 ($704–$1,261) n=640 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 76.6 yr ± 0.41 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 78.5 yr (75.1–81.5) n=754 |
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 0.41 years of 76.6, 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