ZIP code
60115
in DeKalb, IllinoisPopulation 42,536
48.50/ 100
Ranked #18,304 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 43%)
Ranked #892 of 1,368 Illinois ZIPs (bottom 35%)
Ranked #300 of 374 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ZIPs (bottom 20%)
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
11 ppb
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
US98thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$1
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS98thDefinition & 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
834 units
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
45.7%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
30.9%
in the bottom 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
43%
in the bottom 6.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST4thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
13.7%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Mental-health provider access
0.12 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Unemployment rate
9.9%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, DeKalb, Illinois (ZIP 60115) sits in the bottom 43% nationally (18,304th) and the bottom 35% of Illinois (892nd).
Where this area is stretched, the data is unambiguous: lead in tap water settles in the top 1.8% nationally, modeled expected annual loss stands in the top 1.9% nationally, and housing-cost burden is in the top 5.1% nationally. Modeled disaster risk rests in the top 5.6% nationally, homeownership sits in the bottom 6.1% nationally, and modeled transportation registers in the top 8.6% nationally. Unemployment lands in the top 9.8% nationally. Better still, subsidized affordable housing resides in the top 2.0% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol lies in the bottom 4.5% nationally. Mental-health providers settles in the top 8.9% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. ZIP 60111, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
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 83%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 43%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 16%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 93%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 48%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 20%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.6%
8%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 80%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 54%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 18%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.00%
8%
Disability
healthier than 17%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
60111
Illinoisshares a border
Score 54.14
Closest healthier
60112
Illinoisshares a border
Score 56.52
Similar health profile
44243
Ohio96% similar profile
Score 42.56
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 | 20.7% | 18.1–23.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.0% | 26.2–34.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 9.8–12.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.8–7.5 |
| Depression among adults | 24.1% | 20.4–28.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.1% | 8.7–11.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 30.9% | 27.0–35.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.4% | 29.8–46.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.5% | 10.0–15.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.9% | 10.2–13.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 67.7% | 64.7–70.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.8% | 70.6–79.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 79.1% | 76.6–81.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.0% | 56.2–67.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 56.8% | 52.6–60.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.6% | 63.4–80.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.8% | 15.4–22.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.2% | 12.2–16.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.0% | 21.8–30.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.0% | 29.7–44.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.8% | 19.0–24.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.8% | 18.4–23.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.1% | 11.5–14.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.1% | 15.9–20.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.2% | 28.9–38.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.9% | 9.6–12.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.3% | 10.8–14.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.8–7.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.1% | 23.3–31.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 24.2% | 21.4–27.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 24.0% | 21.4–26.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.2% | 15.9–20.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 13.7% | 12.2–15.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.9% | 31.7–42.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 11.0–14.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 25.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.4% (3.4–21.4%) n=1,378 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.6% (1.7–15.2%) n=1,375 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.5% (2.1–16.1%) n=1,377 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 33.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.6% (9.3–49.2%) n=1,377 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 9.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.7–10.0%) n=1,375 |
| Households without a vehicle | 9.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–11.8%) n=1,377 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.4% (77.4–96.0%) n=1,377 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 45.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.2% (10.7–34.7%) n=1,377 |
| Homeownership rate | 43.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.9% (61.0–94.1%) n=1,377 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–4.1%) n=1,377 |
| Foreign-born population | 9.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.4% (0.0–17.6%) n=1,378 |
| Single-parent households | 40.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.8% (39.6–70.3%) n=1,372 |
| Population 65+ | 11.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–28.7%) n=1,378 |
| Median age | 26.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.1 yr (34.3–52.1) n=1,373 |
| Median household income | $47,043 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,429 ($50,714–$114,949) n=1,334 |
| Median home value | $208,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $154,250 ($86,310–$346,100) n=1,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,018 | $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 unavailable for this ZIP — fewer than 80% of the census tracts that make it up could be matched across the 2010→2020 tract-boundary revision, so no value is published rather than an unreliable one. See how coverage gaps are handled. | |||
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