ZIP code
70121
in New Orleans, LouisianaPopulation 10,558
47.85/ 100
Ranked #19,111 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 40%)
Ranked #75 of 508 Louisiana ZIPs (top 14.8%)
Ranked #19 of 67 New Orleans-Metairie, LA ZIPs (top 28%)
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.
Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
150.7 days/year
in the top 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS95thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were detected in EPA testing.
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 ›Floodplain exposure
35.1%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST50thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
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 ›Mammography
81.5%
in the top 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.5 pCi/L
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Walkability
110 intersections/sq mi
in the top 8.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
35.2 per million
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both humid-heat days and flood exposure.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
Overall, ZIP 70121, one of several in New Orleans, Louisiana places in the bottom 40% nationally (19,111th) and the top 14.8% of Louisiana (75th).
The measures land in both directions, and neither dominates: distance to an emergency room registers at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled mammography settles in the top 5.2% nationally, and radon sits in the bottom 0.3% nationally. Walkability lies in the top 8.6% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled industrial-pollution burden rests in the top 4.5% nationally, humid heat resides in the top 4.6% nationally, and tree cover is at the national minimum. PFAS in drinking water lands at the national maximum, floodplain exposure stands in the top 7.9% nationally, and modeled air-toxics cancer risk registers in the top 9.0% nationally.
Beside the areas that surround it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 70001, 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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 43%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 37%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 28%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 31%
8%
Disability
healthier than 36%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 92%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 93%
8%
Disability
healthier than 77%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 75%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 84%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 77%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Disability
healthier than 71%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 73%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
“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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 74.5 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $59,562 predicts 78.0 years — 3.5 years below.
Ranked #4,705 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
70001
Louisianashares a border
Score 52.35
Closest healthier
70118
Louisianashares a border
Score 51.66
Similar health profile
23669
Virginia96% similar profile
Score 48.17
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 | 31.0% | 28.1–33.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 43.0% | 39.5–46.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.5% | 7.7–9.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.7–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–8.9 |
| Depression among adults | 25.3% | 22.2–28.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.8% | 13.9–17.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.3% | 35.7–42.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.5% | 36.6–46.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.8–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.6% | 12.1–17.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.5% | 7.2–9.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.8% | 78.3–83.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 83.3% | 80.7–85.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.1% | 87.7–90.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.6% | 65.6–73.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.4% | 59.2–65.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.5% | 76.1–86.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.1% | 14.6–19.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.0% | 13.0–17.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.3% | 24.7–31.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.7% | 34.5–42.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.4% | 19.7–24.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.4% | 15.6–19.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.7–16.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.2% | 14.4–18.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.4% | 30.7–37.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.2–9.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.0% | 8.0–10.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.7% | 14.7–18.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.2–5.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.8% | 22.7–28.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.0% | 15.9–20.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.2% | 12.3–16.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.2% | 12.4–16.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.2% | 8.2–10.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.1% | 31.3–39.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 9.1–11.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | LA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 17.8% (6.0–36.8%) n=504 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 10.4% (2.9–20.5%) n=505 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 14.0% (4.3–26.4%) n=508 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 36.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.6% (5.9–37.1%) n=508 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 5.5% (0.0–13.6%) n=501 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 6.0% (0.0–15.0%) n=504 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.4% (64.1–94.5%) n=504 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 36.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (9.3–41.8%) n=504 |
| Homeownership rate | 59.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.4% (50.9–92.7%) n=504 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.8%) n=504 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.2% (0.0–7.6%) n=508 |
| Single-parent households | 47.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.0% (29.6–65.8%) n=495 |
| Population 65+ | 21.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.3% (10.2–29.0%) n=508 |
| Median age | 43.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.6 yr (33.0–52.4) n=500 |
| Median household income | $59,562 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $56,458 ($34,647–$88,928) n=457 |
| Median home value | $247,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $163,450 ($86,100–$284,620) n=452 |
| Median gross rent | $1,106 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $915 ($606–$1,325) n=389 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | LA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 74.5 yr ± 0.77 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 75.9 yr (73.2–79.0) n=494 |
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 0.77 years of 74.5, 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