ZIP code
60087
in Waukegan, IllinoisPopulation 27,293
51.30/ 100
Ranked #14,416 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 45%)
Ranked #648 of 1,368 Illinois ZIPs (top 47%)
Ranked #272 of 374 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ZIPs (bottom 27%)
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.
Transit access
9.9 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›PFAS in drinking water
70.1%
in the top 4.4% 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 ›Uninsured (under 65)
18.4%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
7.3 ppb
in the top 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
US94thDefinition & 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 ›Park land
23%
in the top 6.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
56.8%
in the bottom 7.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
19.9%
in the top 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 60087, one of several in Waukegan, Illinois, by its composite score, sits in the top 45% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,416th) and the top 47% of Illinois (648th).
The measures land in both directions, and neither dominates: transit registers in the top 1.3% nationally, and park land settles in the top 6.1% nationally. Pulling the other way, distance to a Superfund site sits at the national minimum, and modeled pfas lies in the top 4.4% nationally. Modeled uninsured rests in the top 6.0% nationally, lead in tap water resides in the top 5.7% nationally, and modeled industrial-pollution burden is in the top 6.6% nationally. Modeled colon screening lands in the bottom 7.1% nationally, expected annual loss stands in the top 7.5% nationally, and housing insecurity registers in the top 9.1% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. 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. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 60031, 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 73%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 57%
11%
Disability
healthier than 46%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 63%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 29%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 23%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 66%
14%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 47%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 36%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Disability
healthier than 18%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 13%
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
3 of our published findings list 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 77.6 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $76,738 predicts 79.0 years — 1.5 years below.
Ranked #1,797 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 77.6 ± 1.1 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.3 years — 2.7 years below them.
Ranked #2,113 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 21.6; chronic-disease standing 73.3 — 52 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #14,557 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
60031
Illinoisshares a border
Score 65.19
Closest healthier
60083
Illinoisshares a border
Score 62.13
Similar health profile
30046
Georgia98% similar profile
Score 52.20
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 | 21.5% | 18.9–24.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.0% | 30.5–37.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.7% | 8.5–10.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.0 |
| Depression among adults | 17.9% | 15.2–20.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.0% | 12.2–15.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.0% | 32.3–39.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.9% | 33.4–44.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.0% | 12.3–18.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 18.4% | 16.1–20.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.1% | 69.9–76.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.9% | 71.3–78.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.3–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 56.8% | 52.0–61.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 56.7% | 53.1–60.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.7% | 65.5–79.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.9% | 12.4–17.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.5% | 11.6–15.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.9% | 23.9–31.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.6% | 31.5–42.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 23.5% | 20.8–26.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.4–18.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.8% | 12.2–15.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.2% | 13.3–16.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.1% | 26.4–33.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–9.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.7% | 12.9–16.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.2–4.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.7% | 25.2–32.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 24.2% | 21.4–27.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 19.8% | 17.3–22.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.9% | 17.6–22.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.2% | 10.0–12.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.4% | 30.1–38.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.6–12.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.4% (3.4–21.4%) n=1,378 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 17.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.6% (1.7–15.2%) n=1,375 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 22.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.5% (2.1–16.1%) n=1,377 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 19.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.6% (9.3–49.2%) n=1,377 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.7–10.0%) n=1,375 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–11.8%) n=1,377 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.4% (77.4–96.0%) n=1,377 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.2% (10.7–34.7%) n=1,377 |
| Homeownership rate | 59.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.9% (61.0–94.1%) n=1,377 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 6.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–4.1%) n=1,377 |
| Foreign-born population | 24.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.4% (0.0–17.6%) n=1,378 |
| Single-parent households | 46.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.8% (39.6–70.3%) n=1,372 |
| Population 65+ | 15.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–28.7%) n=1,378 |
| Median age | 37.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.1 yr (34.3–52.1) n=1,373 |
| Median household income | $76,738 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,429 ($50,714–$114,949) n=1,334 |
| Median home value | $206,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $154,250 ($86,310–$346,100) n=1,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,356 | $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 | 77.6 yr ± 0.57 | 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 0.57 years of 77.6, 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