ZIP code
46312
in East Chicago, IndianaPopulation 26,022
33.96/ 100
Ranked #29,751 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 7.3%)
Ranked #734 of 757 Indiana ZIPs (bottom 3.1%)
Ranked #360 of 374 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ZIPs (bottom 3.8%)
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.
Short sleep
48.7%
in the top 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
11.3%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
35.6%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
21.9%
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
1,121 units
in the top 1.1% 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 ›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 ›Tooth loss
28.4%
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
39.5%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
21%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
East Chicago, Indiana (ZIP 46312) ranks in the bottom 7.3% nationally (29,751st) and the bottom 3.1% of Indiana (734th).
A number of readings press hard on the profile and set its tone: modeled short sleep stands in the top 0.7% nationally, and vision disability sits in the top 2.9% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health resides in the top 2.3% nationally, and uninsured stands in the top 3.4% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site sits at the national minimum, modeled tooth loss resides in the top 4.2% nationally, and modeled industrial-pollution burden stands in the top 2.0% nationally. Modeled food insecurity sits in the top 2.0% nationally, and utility shutoff resides in the top 2.0% nationally. On the brighter side, subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 1.1% nationally.
Against its neighbors, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 46323, 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 22%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 4%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 1%
11%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Lifting this score
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 19%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 3%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 1.0%
11%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 61%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 7%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 9%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Disability
healthier than 3%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 16%
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 ›
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 74.9 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $42,125 predicts 76.7 years — 1.8 years below.
Ranked #2,250 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
46320
Indianashares a border
Score 32.89
Closest healthier
46323
Indianashares a border
Score 43.12
Similar health profile
30315
Georgia99% similar profile
Score 39.52
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 | 26.3% | 24.2–28.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.4% | 38.7–44.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.1% | 10.9–13.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 7.0–8.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.3–10.1 |
| Depression among adults | 19.0% | 16.8–21.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 20.2% | 18.3–22.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.4% | 31.7–37.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 47.0% | 43.0–51.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.9% | 4.5–5.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 28.4% | 25.1–31.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 21.9% | 19.3–24.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.0% | 74.7–79.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.2% | 75.5–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.6% | 80.6–84.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.9% | 56.3–63.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 41.1% | 38.4–43.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.7% | 70.6–80.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.3% | 12.3–16.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 21.1% | 18.9–23.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 40.3% | 36.7–43.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 48.7% | 45.3–51.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 35.6% | 32.8–38.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.5% | 17.7–21.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.6% | 16.8–20.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 20.3% | 18.4–22.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.8% | 36.5–43.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.5–14.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 21.8% | 19.8–23.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.8–8.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 11.3% | 10.4–12.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 32.5% | 29.2–35.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 39.5% | 36.2–43.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 27.3% | 24.6–30.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 27.5% | 24.8–30.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 17.8% | 16.1–19.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.4% | 32.9–39.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 21.0% | 18.9–23.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 26.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.8% (3.3–23.6%) n=764 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 18.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (2.5–19.0%) n=761 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 26.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.8% (3.0–19.3%) n=766 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 10.7% | 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 | 16.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.5%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 78.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (76.7–95.9%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 35.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.0% (9.8–33.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 42.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.7% (58.9–94.5%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–4.2%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 16.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–8.8%) n=767 |
| Single-parent households | 30.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.2% (40.5–69.1%) n=756 |
| Population 65+ | 14.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.2% (11.0–26.5%) n=767 |
| Median age | 36.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.5 yr (32.5–49.6) n=756 |
| Median household income | $42,125 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $71,016 ($50,417–$99,531) n=721 |
| Median home value | $105,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $178,250 ($109,430–$287,310) n=724 |
| Median gross rent | $854 | $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 | 74.9 yr ± 0.74 | 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 0.74 years of 74.9, 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