ZIP code
46410
in Merrillville, IndianaPopulation 39,243
47.79/ 100
Ranked #19,187 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 40%)
Ranked #400 of 757 Indiana ZIPs (bottom 47%)
Ranked #309 of 374 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ZIPs (bottom 17%)
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
47%
in the top 1.4% 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 ›Physician access
4.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Outpatient-care access
0.89 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient clinics located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
72.7%
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
1.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS94thDefinition & 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
19.9%
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.13 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.3 mi
in the bottom 8.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Merrillville, Indiana (ZIP 46410) ranks in the bottom 40% nationally (19,187th) and the bottom 47% of Indiana (400th).
The weightiest signals in the profile are worth naming up front: modeled short sleep resides in the top 1.4% nationally, and expected annual loss stands in the top 2.7% nationally. Modeled pfas sits in the top 3.7% nationally, and industrial-pollution burden resides in the top 5.8% nationally. Modeled arsenic stands in the top 6.5% nationally. More positively, physicians sits in the top 2.0% nationally, outpatient resides in the top 2.5% nationally, and dental providers stands in the top 5.0% nationally. Distance to an emergency room sits at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Mental-health providers resides in the top 8.2% nationally.
Against its neighbors, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. 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. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 46307, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 65%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 66%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 70%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 33%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 31%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 63%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 96%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 72%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 43%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 22%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 35%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 5%
11%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 71%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 69%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 68%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 9%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 24%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 7%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 29%
8%
Disability
healthier than 16%
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 76.1 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $64,127 predicts 78.3 years — 2.2 years below.
Ranked #2,956 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
46307
Indianashares a border
Score 57.48
Closest healthier
46319
Indianashares a border
Score 53.32
Similar health profile
16137
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 46.56
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 | 28.1% | 25.8–30.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.6% | 38.8–44.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.8% | 6.2–7.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.5% | 11.2–13.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–9.0 |
| Depression among adults | 19.3% | 17.0–21.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.3% | 14.6–18.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.9% | 31.2–36.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.7% | 38.7–46.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.3% | 4.0–4.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 21.2% | 18.5–24.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.9% | 8.6–11.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.1% | 76.8–81.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.1% | 78.6–83.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.0% | 85.5–88.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.9% | 65.6–72.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 53.4% | 50.6–56.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.6% | 75.2–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.2% | 13.1–17.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.4% | 15.5–19.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.1% | 26.0–32.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 47.0% | 43.7–50.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 24.7% | 22.4–27.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.7% | 16.0–19.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.8% | 13.3–16.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.4% | 13.8–17.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.0% | 29.1–35.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–7.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.9% | 15.2–18.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.6–5.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.6% | 6.1–7.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.2% | 26.3–32.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 23.6% | 21.2–26.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.5% | 13.6–17.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.5% | 15.6–19.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.3% | 10.1–12.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.8% | 30.5–37.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 14.2% | 12.6–15.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.8% (3.3–23.6%) n=764 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (2.5–19.0%) n=761 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.8% (3.0–19.3%) n=766 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 24.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.4% (8.1–38.5%) n=766 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.4% (0.0–8.2%) n=760 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.5%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (76.7–95.9%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.0% (9.8–33.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.7% (58.9–94.5%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–4.2%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–8.8%) n=767 |
| Single-parent households | 42.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.2% (40.5–69.1%) n=756 |
| Population 65+ | 20.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.2% (11.0–26.5%) n=767 |
| Median age | 42.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.5 yr (32.5–49.6) n=756 |
| Median household income | $64,127 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $71,016 ($50,417–$99,531) n=721 |
| Median home value | $208,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $178,250 ($109,430–$287,310) n=724 |
| Median gross rent | $1,270 | $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 | 76.1 yr ± 0.61 | 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 0.61 years of 76.1, 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