ZIP code
46241
in Indianapolis, IndianaPopulation 32,565
36.21/ 100
Ranked #28,903 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 9.9%)
Ranked #727 of 757 Indiana ZIPs (bottom 4.0%)
Ranked #112 of 115 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN ZIPs (bottom 2.7%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
20.8%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
76.4%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Loud transportation noise
2.6%
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
441 units
in the top 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
6.3%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Tooth loss
24.1%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
14.2%
in the top 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
27.3%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, ZIP 46241, one of several in Indianapolis, Indiana stands in the bottom 9.9% nationally (28,903rd) and the bottom 4.0% of Indiana (727th).
The weightiest signals in the profile are worth naming up front: distance to a Superfund site settles at the national minimum, and modeled transportation noise rests in the top 2.4% nationally. Modeled pfas lands in the top 2.7% nationally, and loud transportation noise settles in the top 4.8% nationally. PFAS in drinking water rests at the national maximum, outer-floodplain exposure lands in the top 6.0% nationally, and modeled tooth loss settles in the top 8.6% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff rests in the top 8.4% nationally, and poverty lands in the top 8.7% nationally. More positively, subsidized affordable housing settles in the top 5.2% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. 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. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. ZIP 46113, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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
healthier than 87%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 36%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 16%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 5%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 6%
8%
Disability
healthier than 22%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 51%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 9%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.3%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 3%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 3%
8%
Disability
healthier than 8%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 75%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 23%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.00%
14%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 0.9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 4%
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
2 of our published findings list 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 73.0 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $53,653 predicts 77.6 years — 4.6 years below.
Ranked #5,380 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 73.0 ± 1.2 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 77.1 years — 4.1 years below them.
Ranked #3,059 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
46113
Indianashares a border
Score 55.34
Closest healthier
46214
Indianashares a border
Score 49.81
Similar health profile
44308
Ohio98% similar profile
Score 25.35
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 | 26.2% | 24.4–28.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.6% | 36.2–40.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.2% | 5.7–6.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.4% | 11.2–13.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.2–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.0% | 9.1–11.0 |
| Depression among adults | 28.5% | 26.0–31.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.0% | 12.7–15.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.5% | 34.2–38.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.0% | 37.7–44.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 24.1% | 21.0–27.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.8% | 13.9–17.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.6% | 71.3–75.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.4% | 73.9–78.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.0% | 79.1–82.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.9% | 56.4–63.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 52.3% | 49.5–54.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.2% | 66.9–76.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.3% | 16.2–20.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 21.2% | 19.1–23.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.0% | 27.5–32.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.9% | 37.8–43.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 27.2% | 25.1–29.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.9% | 19.1–22.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.8% | 15.3–18.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 20.0% | 18.2–21.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.2% | 33.5–38.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.2–7.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.2% | 10.2–12.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.0% | 15.5–18.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–5.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.6% | 7.0–8.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.9% | 24.5–29.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.8% | 23.5–28.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 17.7% | 15.8–19.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.4% | 16.5–20.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.7% | 11.4–14.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.6% | 34.9–40.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 14.2% | 12.7–15.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 27.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.8% (3.3–23.6%) n=764 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (2.5–19.0%) n=761 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 26.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.8% (3.0–19.3%) n=766 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 15.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.4% (8.1–38.5%) n=766 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.4% (0.0–8.2%) n=760 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.5%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (76.7–95.9%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.0% (9.8–33.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 54.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.7% (58.9–94.5%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 6.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–4.2%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 16.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–8.8%) n=767 |
| Single-parent households | 38.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.2% (40.5–69.1%) n=756 |
| Population 65+ | 10.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.2% (11.0–26.5%) n=767 |
| Median age | 31.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.5 yr (32.5–49.6) n=756 |
| Median household income | $53,653 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $71,016 ($50,417–$99,531) n=721 |
| Median home value | $130,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $178,250 ($109,430–$287,310) n=724 |
| Median gross rent | $1,208 | $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 | 73.0 yr ± 0.60 | 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 0.60 years of 73.0, 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