ZIP code
61920
in Charleston, IllinoisPopulation 20,951
48.31/ 100
Ranked #18,534 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 42%)
Ranked #917 of 1,368 Illinois ZIPs (bottom 33%)
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.
Slow internet speeds
3.0%
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
330 units
in the top 7.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
17%
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST79thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
53.3%
in the bottom 10.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Mental-health provider access
0.096 per 1,000 residents
in the top 11.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS89thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
32.7%
in the bottom 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
21.7%
in the top 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
35.9%
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
10.3%
in the top 21% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS79thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Charleston, Illinois (ZIP 61920) sits in the bottom 42% nationally (18,534th) and the bottom 33% of Illinois (917th).
The profile cuts both ways, and the readings bear that out: subsidized affordable housing is in the top 7.4% nationally, and mental-health providers rests in the top 11.3% nationally. Distance to a community health center sits at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled high cholesterol registers in the bottom 8.5% nationally. Distance to a nursing home lands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Distance to an emergency room resides in the bottom 15% nationally. Working the other way, slow internet speeds lies in the top 3.9% nationally, and modeled arsenic settles in the top 8.3% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss stands in the top 9.2% nationally, and homeownership is in the bottom 10.9% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. ZIP 61912, 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.
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%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 19%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 38%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 34%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 1%
8%
Disability
healthier than 34%
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 9.2 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 73.4 — 64 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,824 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
61910
Illinoisshares a border
Score 46.20
Closest healthier
61912
Illinoisshares a border
Score 53.74
Similar health profile
49509
Michigan97% similar profile
Score 49.76
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 | 24.8% | 21.6–28.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.8% | 27.6–36.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.5% | 6.8–8.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.6–8.4 |
| Depression among adults | 24.4% | 20.5–28.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.3% | 8.7–11.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.7% | 28.4–37.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.6% | 28.9–46.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.8% | 9.5–14.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.8% | 7.5–10.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.7% | 69.6–75.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.4% | 72.1–80.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.8% | 79.4–84.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.9% | 58.6–69.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 58.6% | 54.8–62.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 70.7% | 62.0–78.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.4% | 14.8–22.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.3% | 12.2–16.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.1% | 19.7–28.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.3% | 30.4–44.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.9% | 17.2–22.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.6% | 17.3–22.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.3% | 11.6–15.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.4% | 14.4–18.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.7% | 28.1–37.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.9% | 8.8–11.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.3% | 11.4–15.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–6.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.6% | 20.9–28.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.9% | 15.3–20.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 18.3% | 15.8–20.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 11.5–15.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.3% | 9.0–11.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.9% | 30.5–41.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.2% | 7.9–10.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 21.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.4% (3.4–21.4%) n=1,378 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.6% (1.7–15.2%) n=1,375 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.5% (2.1–16.1%) n=1,377 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 34.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.6% (9.3–49.2%) n=1,377 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.7–10.0%) n=1,375 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–11.8%) n=1,377 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.4% (77.4–96.0%) n=1,377 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.2% (10.7–34.7%) n=1,377 |
| Homeownership rate | 53.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.9% (61.0–94.1%) n=1,377 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–4.1%) n=1,377 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.4% (0.0–17.6%) n=1,378 |
| Single-parent households | 61.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.8% (39.6–70.3%) n=1,372 |
| Population 65+ | 15.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–28.7%) n=1,378 |
| Median age | 30.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.1 yr (34.3–52.1) n=1,373 |
| Median household income | $52,429 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,429 ($50,714–$114,949) n=1,334 |
| Median home value | $149,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $154,250 ($86,310–$346,100) n=1,332 |
| Median gross rent | $812 | $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