ZIP code
70443
in Independence, LouisianaPopulation 9,006
39.04/ 100
Ranked #27,368 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 14.7%)
Ranked #250 of 508 Louisiana ZIPs (top 49%)
Ranked #10 of 15 Hammond, LA 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.
Floodplain exposure
50.9%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST71stUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
150.8 days/year
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Unemployment rate
12.7%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
38.6%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
38.9 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
20.1%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST57thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.7 pCi/L
in the bottom 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST61stUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
0.49 per 1,000 residents
in the top 11.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS89thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Obesity
43%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST67thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
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
Independence, Louisiana (ZIP 70443), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 14.7% nationally (27,368th) and the top 49% of Louisiana (250th).
A balanced showing across the data, with a few readings each side: distance to an emergency room registers at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Grocery is in the top 7.6% nationally. On the other hand, floodplain exposure lies in the top 3.8% nationally, and modeled humid heat registers in the top 4.5% nationally. Unemployment is in the top 5.6% nationally, and modeled loneliness lies in the top 7.0% nationally. Fatal road crashes registers in the top 7.4% nationally, and modeled cognitive disability is in the top 9.0% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff lies in the top 10.1% nationally, and food insecurity registers in the top 11.0% nationally.
Defined simply, for reference, floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 70422, 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 Hammond, LA metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 76%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 54%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 28%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 17%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 61%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 40%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 44%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 64%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 43%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 57%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 43%
8%
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 14%
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 75.9 ± 1.7 years. A median household income of $57,464 predicts 77.9 years — 2.0 years below.
Ranked #2,624 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
70422
Louisianashares a border
Score 40.18
Closest healthier
70446
Louisianashares a border
Score 51.83
Similar health profile
70582
Louisiana100% similar profile
Score 38.36
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 | 31.3% | 28.7–33.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 43.1% | 40.0–46.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.4% | 6.8–8.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–11.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.8% | 7.1–8.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.4 |
| Depression among adults | 26.8% | 23.9–29.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.8% | 14.2–17.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.6% | 35.4–41.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.0% | 38.1–47.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.5% | 4.2–4.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 18.9% | 16.2–21.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.3% | 9.0–11.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.3% | 76.0–80.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.3% | 78.8–83.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.6% | 84.1–87.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.1% | 63.2–70.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 55.3% | 52.3–58.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.8% | 72.0–82.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.6% | 15.3–19.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.7% | 17.6–21.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.1% | 28.6–35.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.5% | 35.0–44.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.7% | 24.4–29.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.7% | 18.8–22.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.5% | 15.0–18.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 20.1% | 18.3–21.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 40.8% | 37.4–44.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–9.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.3% | 10.3–12.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.3% | 17.5–21.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.2–6.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.7–7.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 30.0% | 26.9–33.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.1% | 22.6–27.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 21.8% | 19.6–24.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.7% | 16.8–20.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 11.3–13.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 38.6% | 34.6–42.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 12.1–14.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | LA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 22.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 17.8% (6.0–36.8%) n=504 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 21.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 10.4% (2.9–20.5%) n=505 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 21.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 14.0% (4.3–26.4%) n=508 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 14.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.6% (5.9–37.1%) n=508 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 12.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 5.5% (0.0–13.6%) n=501 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 6.0% (0.0–15.0%) n=504 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.4% (64.1–94.5%) n=504 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (9.3–41.8%) n=504 |
| Homeownership rate | 70.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.4% (50.9–92.7%) n=504 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.8%) n=504 |
| Foreign-born population | 8.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.2% (0.0–7.6%) n=508 |
| Single-parent households | 34.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.0% (29.6–65.8%) n=495 |
| Population 65+ | 12.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.3% (10.2–29.0%) n=508 |
| Median age | 35.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.6 yr (33.0–52.4) n=500 |
| Median household income | $57,464 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $56,458 ($34,647–$88,928) n=457 |
| Median home value | $163,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $163,450 ($86,100–$284,620) n=452 |
| Median gross rent | $971 | $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 | 75.9 yr ± 0.88 | 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 0.88 years of 75.9, 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