ZIP code
46516
in Elkhart, IndianaPopulation 31,871
40.37/ 100
Ranked #26,506 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 17%)
Ranked #683 of 757 Indiana ZIPs (bottom 9.8%)
Ranked #10 of 11 Elkhart-Goshen, IN ZIPs (bottom 9.1%)
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
88.6%
in the top 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
47.2%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
15%
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
450 units
in the top 5.1% 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 ›Loud transportation noise
2.1%
in the top 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
120 intersections/sq mi
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 10.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Utility shut-off threat
13.3%
in the top 10.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 46516, one of several in Elkhart, Indiana, in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 17% nationally (26,506th) and the bottom 9.8% of Indiana (683rd).
The profile carries real weight, and several readings make that plain: modeled pfas resides in the top 0.6% nationally, distance to a Superfund site sits at the national minimum, and modeled industrial-pollution burden stands in the top 3.1% nationally. Modeled obesity resides in the top 2.0% nationally, transportation noise sits in the top 4.3% nationally, and loud transportation noise stands in the top 6.9% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss resides in the top 10.1% nationally, and utility shutoff sits in the top 10.3% nationally. Better still, subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 5.1% nationally, and walkability resides in the top 8.5% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, 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. 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. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 46507, 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 Elkhart-Goshen, 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 79%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 27%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 16%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Disability
healthier than 28%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 18%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 1.0%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Disability
healthier than 13%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 10%
11%
Disability
healthier than 10%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.00%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
46507
Indianashares a border
Score 45.78
Closest healthier
46514
Indianashares a border
Score 43.66
Similar health profile
46241
Indiana98% similar profile
Score 36.21
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 | 26.7% | 24.0–29.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.0% | 35.6–42.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.8% | 10.5–13.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.9% | 8.1–9.8 |
| Depression among adults | 25.2% | 22.0–28.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.7% | 13.0–16.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.3% | 33.8–40.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 47.2% | 41.6–52.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 22.9% | 19.2–26.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.0% | 13.2–16.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.1% | 71.2–76.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.8% | 75.6–81.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.0% | 81.0–84.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.4% | 54.5–64.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 52.9% | 49.3–56.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.1% | 66.9–80.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.9% | 13.3–18.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.9% | 16.7–21.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.0% | 25.4–32.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.2% | 34.2–44.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.7% | 23.1–28.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.0% | 18.0–22.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.3–17.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.7% | 16.9–20.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.4% | 32.8–40.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.2–7.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.1% | 9.1–11.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.6% | 14.9–18.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.6–5.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.5–7.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.0% | 23.7–30.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 23.4% | 20.9–26.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.3% | 13.5–17.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.4% | 16.3–20.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.6% | 10.4–13.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.5% | 31.2–39.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.3% | 11.8–15.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.8% (3.3–23.6%) n=764 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (2.5–19.0%) n=761 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 17.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.8% (3.0–19.3%) n=766 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.4% (8.1–38.5%) n=766 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.4% (0.0–8.2%) n=760 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.5%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (76.7–95.9%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.0% (9.8–33.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 62.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.7% (58.9–94.5%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–4.2%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 14.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–8.8%) n=767 |
| Single-parent households | 46.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.2% (40.5–69.1%) n=756 |
| Population 65+ | 13.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.2% (11.0–26.5%) n=767 |
| Median age | 35.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.5 yr (32.5–49.6) n=756 |
| Median household income | $56,492 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $71,016 ($50,417–$99,531) n=721 |
| Median home value | $153,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $178,250 ($109,430–$287,310) n=724 |
| Median gross rent | $1,016 | $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 ± 0.79 | 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 0.79 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