ZIP code
60040
in Highwood, IllinoisPopulation 5,301
56.80/ 100
Ranked #7,455 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 23%)
Ranked #275 of 1,368 Illinois ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #190 of 374 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ZIPs (bottom 49%)
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.
Lead in tap water
61 ppb
in the top 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
US99thDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›Transportation noise
28%
in the top 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Fatal road crashes
0 per 100,000 residents per year
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Transit access
7.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops 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 ›Loud transportation noise
3.5%
in the top 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
0.00%
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
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 ›Walkability
170 intersections/sq mi
in the top 3.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
6.2%
in the top 10.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
96.4%
in the top 12.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Highwood, Illinois (ZIP 60040) places in the top 23% healthiest ZIPs nationally (7,455th) and the top 20% of Illinois (275th).
The measures fall on both sides for this area, fairly evenly: fatal road crashes lies at the national minimum, and transit rests in the top 2.3% nationally. Floodplain exposure resides at the national minimum, and walkability is in the top 3.8% nationally. Home broadband subscription lands in the top 12.5% nationally. Pulling the other way, lead in tap water stands in the top 0.2% nationally, modeled transportation noise registers in the top 1.4% nationally, and modeled loud transportation noise settles in the top 2.8% nationally. Modeled tree cover sits at the national minimum, and crowded housing lies in the top 10.4% nationally.
Beside the areas that surround it, lead in tap water runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. Loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 60035, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 75%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 75%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 57%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 81%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 67%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 89%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the top 0.00%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Lifting this score
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 55%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 20%
13%
Disability
healthier than 32%
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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 14.1; chronic-disease standing 80.4 — 66 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,050 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
60035
Illinoisshares a border
Score 70.88
Closest healthier
60045
Illinoisshares a border
Score 71.80
Similar health profile
90701
California97% similar profile
Score 57.47
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 | 21.4% | 18.7–24.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.1% | 28.5–35.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.1% | 7.9–10.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.7% | 4.9–6.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.9% | 4.7–7.1 |
| Depression among adults | 18.3% | 15.3–21.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.2% | 10.5–14.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.1% | 32.3–39.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.2% | 30.7–41.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.6–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.7% | 11.3–16.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.2% | 11.3–19.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.0% | 69.6–76.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.1% | 71.4–78.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.3% | 84.1–88.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.9% | 55.1–64.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.7% | 57.1–64.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.9% | 66.8–80.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.9% | 13.2–18.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.6% | 9.1–14.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.9% | 19.4–28.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.8% | 28.9–39.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.1% | 16.6–23.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.9% | 12.8–17.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.6% | 10.6–14.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.3% | 11.1–15.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.4% | 23.0–31.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.5–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.8% | 6.5–9.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.0% | 10.6–15.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.2–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.8% | 4.8–6.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.5% | 20.7–28.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.2% | 14.3–22.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.6% | 11.2–18.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.3% | 12.3–18.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.3–10.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.6% | 27.2–36.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.0–10.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.4% (3.4–21.4%) n=1,378 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 21.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.6% (1.7–15.2%) n=1,375 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 19.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.5% (2.1–16.1%) n=1,377 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 39.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.6% (9.3–49.2%) n=1,377 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.7–10.0%) n=1,375 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–11.8%) n=1,377 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.4% (77.4–96.0%) n=1,377 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.2% (10.7–34.7%) n=1,377 |
| Homeownership rate | 56.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.9% (61.0–94.1%) n=1,377 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 6.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–4.1%) n=1,377 |
| Foreign-born population | 22.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.4% (0.0–17.6%) n=1,378 |
| Single-parent households | 47.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.8% (39.6–70.3%) n=1,372 |
| Population 65+ | 21.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–28.7%) n=1,378 |
| Median age | 41.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.1 yr (34.3–52.1) n=1,373 |
| Median household income | $107,875 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,429 ($50,714–$114,949) n=1,334 |
| Median home value | $405,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $154,250 ($86,310–$346,100) n=1,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,900 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $934 ($675–$1,653) n=1,170 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 83.4 yr ± 1.88 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 78.9 yr (75.5–82.2) n=1,348 |
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 1.88 years of 83.4, 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