ZIP code
60185
in West Chicago, IllinoisPopulation 33,703
56.61/ 100
Ranked #7,633 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 24%)
Ranked #284 of 1,368 Illinois ZIPs (top 21%)
Ranked #193 of 374 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ZIPs (bottom 48%)
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.
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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS97thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
72.5%
in the top 3.8% 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 ›Loud transportation noise
2.7%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
12.0%
in the top 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Crowded housing
7.8%
in the top 7.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Park land
18.2%
in the top 7.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
9.9%
in the top 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
14.5%
in the top 12.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, West Chicago, Illinois (ZIP 60185) places in the top 24% healthiest ZIPs nationally (7,633rd) and the top 21% of Illinois (284th).
The measures land in both directions, and neither dominates: park land settles in the top 7.6% nationally. Distance to a community health center sits at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Pulling the other way, distance to a Superfund site lies at the national minimum, modeled expected annual loss rests in the top 3.4% nationally, and modeled pfas resides in the top 3.8% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise is in the top 4.5% nationally, industrial-pollution burden lands in the top 5.7% nationally, and transportation noise stands in the top 6.3% nationally. Crowded housing registers in the top 7.1% nationally, and unemployment settles in the top 9.9% nationally.
Beside the areas that surround it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. 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. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 60103, 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 87%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 63%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Disability
healthier than 74%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 52%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 3%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 61%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 91%
8%
Disability
healthier than 71%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 66%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 65%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 36%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
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 3.6 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 87.0 — 83 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,442 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
60103
Illinoisshares a border
Score 64.53
Closest healthier
60134
Illinoisshares a border
Score 66.21
Similar health profile
60616
Illinois99% similar profile
Score 58.00
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 | 21.0% | 18.6–23.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.2% | 27.0–33.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.6% | 6.0–7.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.0% | 8.0–10.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.5% | 4.9–6.2 |
| Depression among adults | 17.5% | 15.1–20.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.3% | 9.8–12.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.2% | 31.8–38.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.1% | 28.4–38.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.6% | 9.4–14.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 14.5% | 12.6–16.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.4% | 71.2–77.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.1% | 72.7–79.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.1% | 84.3–87.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.8% | 54.9–64.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.8% | 59.4–66.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.2% | 66.9–80.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.2% | 13.7–19.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.5% | 9.9–13.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.2% | 20.8–27.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.2% | 32.4–42.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.2% | 16.9–21.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.9% | 13.2–16.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.2% | 10.8–13.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.4–14.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.3% | 23.1–29.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.0–6.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–8.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.4% | 10.9–14.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.1% | 22.8–29.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.0% | 15.8–20.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.9% | 12.0–15.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.8% | 12.9–16.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.7–9.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.4% | 30.4–38.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.9% | 6.9–9.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.4% (3.4–21.4%) n=1,378 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.6% (1.7–15.2%) n=1,375 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 17.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.5% (2.1–16.1%) n=1,377 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 32.9% | 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 | 5.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–11.8%) n=1,377 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.4% (77.4–96.0%) n=1,377 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 31.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.2% (10.7–34.7%) n=1,377 |
| Homeownership rate | 77.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.9% (61.0–94.1%) n=1,377 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 7.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–4.1%) n=1,377 |
| Foreign-born population | 27.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.4% (0.0–17.6%) n=1,378 |
| Single-parent households | 47.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.8% (39.6–70.3%) n=1,372 |
| Population 65+ | 13.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–28.7%) n=1,378 |
| Median age | 39.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.1 yr (34.3–52.1) n=1,373 |
| Median household income | $107,194 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,429 ($50,714–$114,949) n=1,334 |
| Median home value | $344,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $154,250 ($86,310–$346,100) n=1,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,489 | $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 | 80.9 yr ± 0.62 | 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 0.62 years of 80.9, 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