ZIP code
62526
in Decatur, IllinoisPopulation 30,483
43.07/ 100
Ranked #24,311 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 24%)
Ranked #1,236 of 1,368 Illinois ZIPs (bottom 9.7%)
Ranked #15 of 17 Decatur, IL ZIPs (bottom 11.8%)
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.
Arsenic in groundwater
55.7%
in the top 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
961 units
in the top 1.6% 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Physician access
2.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
65.1%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Households without a vehicle
14.5%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Obesity
44.2%
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
0.79 per 1,000 residents
in the top 11.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices 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 ›Utility shut-off threat
11.7%
in the top 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS85thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
16.5%
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS84thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 62526, one of several in Decatur, Illinois, in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 24% nationally (24,311th) and the bottom 9.7% of Illinois (1,236th).
The profile carries real weight, and several readings make that plain: modeled arsenic registers in the top 0.5% nationally, expected annual loss is in the top 5.4% nationally, and pfas lies in the top 6.0% nationally. Households without a vehicle registers in the top 7.8% nationally, and modeled obesity is in the top 5.8% nationally. Better still, subsidized affordable housing lies in the top 1.6% nationally. Distance to an emergency room registers at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Physicians is in the top 5.6% nationally, and dental providers lies in the top 11.2% nationally. Distance to a community health center registers at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs.
Set within its surrounding area, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, 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. 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. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 61756, 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 Decatur, IL metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 61%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 25%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 25%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 32%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 27%
11%
Disability
healthier than 26%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 10%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 24%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 25%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 20%
8%
Disability
healthier than 7%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 6%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 13%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.00%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
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
61756
Illinoisshares a border
Score 55.62
Closest healthier
62521
Illinoisshares a border
Score 46.81
Similar health profile
17046
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 41.49
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 | 30.4% | 26.9–33.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.9% | 36.6–45.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.8% | 8.0–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.4% | 10.1–12.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–8.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.7% | 8.7–10.7 |
| Depression among adults | 22.0% | 18.5–25.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.8% | 12.9–16.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.6% | 34.2–43.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 44.2% | 36.1–52.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.6% | 4.3–4.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 17.9% | 14.5–21.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.6% | 8.3–11.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.4% | 75.6–81.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.4% | 75.7–82.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.8% | 84.1–87.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.5% | 57.0–67.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 56.4% | 52.2–60.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 71.2% | 62.3–79.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.2% | 12.4–18.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.3% | 15.1–19.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.1% | 24.7–33.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.4% | 32.5–46.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 24.3% | 21.5–27.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.5% | 16.4–20.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.7% | 13.9–17.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.9% | 14.2–17.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.3% | 31.1–39.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–8.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.0% | 9.9–12.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.2% | 16.2–20.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.9–5.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.3–7.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.5% | 23.7–31.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 21.9% | 19.3–24.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 23.5% | 21.1–26.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.5% | 14.5–18.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.1% | 9.9–12.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.5% | 30.5–41.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.7% | 10.4–13.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | IL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 18.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.4% (3.4–21.4%) n=1,378 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.6% (1.7–15.2%) n=1,375 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.5% (2.1–16.1%) n=1,377 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 20.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.6% (9.3–49.2%) n=1,377 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.7–10.0%) n=1,375 |
| Households without a vehicle | 14.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–11.8%) n=1,377 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.4% (77.4–96.0%) n=1,377 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.2% (10.7–34.7%) n=1,377 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.9% (61.0–94.1%) n=1,377 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.9% (0.0–4.1%) n=1,377 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.4% (0.0–17.6%) n=1,378 |
| Single-parent households | 54.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.8% (39.6–70.3%) n=1,372 |
| Population 65+ | 22.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–28.7%) n=1,378 |
| Median age | 42.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.1 yr (34.3–52.1) n=1,373 |
| Median household income | $49,062 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,429 ($50,714–$114,949) n=1,334 |
| Median home value | $95,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $154,250 ($86,310–$346,100) n=1,332 |
| Median gross rent | $833 | $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 | 76.9 yr ± 0.52 | 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 0.52 years of 76.9, 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