ZIP code
60160
in Melrose Park, IllinoisPopulation 24,549
46.58/ 100
Ranked #20,667 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #1,040 of 1,368 Illinois ZIPs (bottom 24%)
Ranked #316 of 374 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ZIPs (bottom 16%)
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.
Uninsured (under 65)
26.6%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
50.2%
in the bottom 2.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS96thDefinition & 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
25.4%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Transit access
5.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Food insecurity
31.8%
in the top 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Walkability
150 intersections/sq mi
in the top 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
6.3 ppb
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
US93rdDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
4.6%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
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 ›The read
On the composite measure, Melrose Park, Illinois (ZIP 60160) stands in the bottom 36% nationally (20,667th) and the bottom 24% of Illinois (1,040th).
Several readings make the pressure on this area plain: modeled uninsured stands in the top 1.8% nationally, and colon screening sits in the bottom 2.1% nationally. Modeled industrial-pollution burden resides in the top 1.6% nationally, and expected annual loss stands in the top 3.7% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity sits in the top 3.8% nationally, modeled food insecurity resides in the top 5.0% nationally, and lead in tap water stands in the top 7.2% nationally. On the encouraging side, transit sits in the top 4.6% nationally, and walkability resides in the top 5.3% nationally. Distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs.
Set beside the wider area around it, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. ZIP 60131, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 84%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 79%
8%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 4%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 84%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 79%
8%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 1%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Disability
healthier than 14%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 57%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 47%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 16%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 3%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Disability
healthier than 13%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
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
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 4.3 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 84.3 — 80 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,188 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
60104
Illinoisshares a border
Score 45.60
Closest healthier
60131
Illinoisshares a border
Score 51.26
Similar health profile
60501
Illinois99% similar profile
Score 44.03
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 | 19.7% | 17.9–21.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 28.9% | 26.5–31.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.4% | 8.4–10.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–5.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.5 |
| Depression among adults | 18.6% | 16.5–20.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.2% | 11.9–14.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.8% | 31.2–36.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.6% | 31.1–38.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 3.0–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.0% | 13.3–18.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 26.6% | 23.5–29.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.7% | 67.9–73.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.4% | 70.4–76.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.0% | 82.1–85.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 50.2% | 46.2–54.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 51.7% | 48.5–54.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 69.7% | 63.5–75.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.6% | 16.5–20.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.2% | 11.6–14.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.8% | 28.6–35.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.9% | 34.3–41.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 27.3% | 24.8–29.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.5% | 14.9–18.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.5% | 13.1–15.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.7% | 15.0–18.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.0% | 30.1–36.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.2% | 13.6–16.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.4–8.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 30.5% | 27.5–33.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 31.8% | 28.9–34.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 24.9% | 22.0–27.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.4% | 23.0–27.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 13.8% | 12.3–15.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.1% | 33.9–40.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.8% | 11.4–14.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.4% (3.4–21.4%) n=1,378 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 24.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.6% (1.7–15.2%) n=1,375 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 30.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.5% (2.1–16.1%) n=1,377 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 15.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.6% (9.3–49.2%) n=1,377 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.7–10.0%) n=1,375 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–11.8%) n=1,377 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.4% (77.4–96.0%) n=1,377 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 33.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.2% (10.7–34.7%) n=1,377 |
| Homeownership rate | 56.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.9% (61.0–94.1%) n=1,377 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 6.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–4.1%) n=1,377 |
| Foreign-born population | 34.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.4% (0.0–17.6%) n=1,378 |
| Single-parent households | 37.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.8% (39.6–70.3%) n=1,372 |
| Population 65+ | 12.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–28.7%) n=1,378 |
| Median age | 37.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.1 yr (34.3–52.1) n=1,373 |
| Median household income | $66,189 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,429 ($50,714–$114,949) n=1,334 |
| Median home value | $275,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $154,250 ($86,310–$346,100) n=1,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,176 | $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 | 79.0 yr ± 0.63 | 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 0.63 years of 79.0, 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