ZIP code
46368
in Portage, IndianaPopulation 40,301
47.10/ 100
Ranked #20,049 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 37%)
Ranked #439 of 757 Indiana ZIPs (bottom 42%)
Ranked #313 of 374 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-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.
PFAS in drinking water
83.5%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
420 units
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
16.9%
in the top 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST68thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
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 ›Park land
8.0%
in the top 13.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS83rdDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›The read
Portage, Indiana (ZIP 46368), by its overall standing, sits in the bottom 37% nationally (20,049th) and the bottom 42% of Indiana (439th).
Both sides of the picture show up plainly in this area's numbers: subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 5.6% nationally. Distance to a community health center lands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Distance to a nursing home is at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Park land resides in the top 13.8% nationally. By contrast, modeled pfas rests in the top 1.2% nationally, and expected annual loss lies in the top 3.8% nationally. Modeled industrial-pollution burden sits in the top 7.6% nationally, and arsenic settles in the top 8.4% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise registers in the top 11.8% nationally, and obesity stands in the top 11.3% nationally.
Held up against its neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined in plain terms, 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. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 46304, 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 86%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Disability
healthier than 51%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 34%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 27%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 32%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 61%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 62%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 48%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 16%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 30%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 43%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 12%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 36%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
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 75.6 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $76,368 predicts 79.0 years — 3.5 years below.
Ranked #4,646 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
46304
Indianashares a border
Score 53.29
Closest healthier
46342
Indianashares a border
Score 48.94
Similar health profile
46582
Indiana97% similar profile
Score 47.63
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 | 29.0% | 26.3–31.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.6% | 36.2–43.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.7% | 7.0–8.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.6% | 10.3–12.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.2–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–9.0 |
| Depression among adults | 24.0% | 21.0–27.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.7% | 12.1–15.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.8% | 35.3–42.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.4% | 37.2–48.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.3–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.1% | 13.3–19.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.6% | 9.2–12.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.6% | 72.8–78.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.3% | 76.1–82.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.7% | 84.0–87.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.2% | 58.7–67.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.3% | 55.9–62.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.5% | 66.4–79.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.2% | 12.7–17.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.8% | 14.8–19.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.3% | 25.7–33.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.5% | 34.6–44.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.2% | 19.8–24.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.2% | 16.3–20.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.8% | 13.2–16.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.6% | 14.0–17.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.3% | 28.9–35.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.4–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.0% | 13.3–16.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.4% | 5.0–5.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.2% | 21.2–27.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.9% | 14.8–19.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 8.3–11.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 11.7–15.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.9% | 29.0–37.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.8% (3.3–23.6%) n=764 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (2.5–19.0%) n=761 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.8% (3.0–19.3%) n=766 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 19.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.4% (8.1–38.5%) n=766 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.4% (0.0–8.2%) n=760 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.5%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (76.7–95.9%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.0% (9.8–33.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.7% (58.9–94.5%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–4.2%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–8.8%) n=767 |
| Single-parent households | 49.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.2% (40.5–69.1%) n=756 |
| Population 65+ | 16.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.2% (11.0–26.5%) n=767 |
| Median age | 39.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.5 yr (32.5–49.6) n=756 |
| Median household income | $76,368 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $71,016 ($50,417–$99,531) n=721 |
| Median home value | $227,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $178,250 ($109,430–$287,310) n=724 |
| Median gross rent | $1,241 | $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 | 75.6 yr ± 0.54 | 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 0.54 years of 75.6, 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