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ZIP code

70454

in Ponchatoula, LouisianaPopulation 34,564

ZipVitals Score
How is the ZipVitals Score calculated? →

43.37/ 100

Ranked #24,043 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 25%)

Ranked #149 of 508 Louisiana ZIPs (top 29%)

Ranked #5 of 15 Hammond, LA ZIPs (top 33%)

Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.

Robust across all 9 health domains

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

0.70%

in the bottom 0.09% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST1st
US1st
Definition & 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 ›

Floodplain exposure

75%

in the top 1.4% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST84th
US99th
Definition & 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

150.1 days/year

in the top 4.7% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST80th
US95th
Definition & 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 ›

Expected annual disaster loss

$0

in the top 7.7% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST90th
US92nd
Definition & 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 ›

Binge drinking

19.7%

in the top 7.4% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST92nd
US93rd
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.

Full methodology ›

Natural-disaster risk

in the top 8.4% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST88th
US92nd
Definition & 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 ›

Loneliness

37.7%

in the top 9.8% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST72nd
US90th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.

Full methodology ›

Radon

0.7 pCi/L

in the bottom 5.4% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST76th
US5th
Definition & 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 ›

Distance to a Superfund site

2.7 mi

in the bottom 13.6% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST9th
US14th
Definition & 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 ›

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.

The read

By the composite measure, Ponchatoula, Louisiana (ZIP 70454) sits in the bottom 25% nationally (24,043rd) and the top 29% of Louisiana (149th).

continue reading

The main burdens in the data show plainly and lead the picture: floodplain exposure lands in the top 1.4% nationally, modeled humid heat resides in the top 4.7% nationally, and modeled expected annual loss lies in the top 7.7% nationally. Modeled binge drinking settles in the top 7.4% nationally, disaster risk stands in the top 8.4% nationally, and loneliness is in the top 9.8% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure rests in the top 11.4% nationally. More positively, modeled arsenic sits in the bottom 0.09% nationally. Distance to a community health center registers at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled radon lands in the bottom 5.4% nationally.

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. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. ZIP 70433, 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. 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.

Compare within

Lifting this score

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 72%

14%

Preventive Care

healthier than 64%

13%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 76%

5%

About typical

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 43%

21%

Holding it back

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 37%

16%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 13%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 10%

8%

Disability

healthier than 31%

7%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 1%

5%

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 70%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 73%

16%

Preventive Care

healthier than 60%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 63%

11%

Disability

healthier than 72%

7%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 68%

5%

About typical

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 55%

14%

Mental Health

healthier than 48%

8%

Holding it back

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 10%

5%

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 71%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 79%

16%

Preventive Care

healthier than 71%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 71%

11%

Disability

healthier than 79%

7%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 71%

5%

About typical

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 57%

14%

Mental Health

healthier than 57%

8%

Holding it back

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 7%

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 76.9 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $71,611 predicts 78.8 years — 1.9 years below.

    Ranked #2,459 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.

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
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Arthritis among adults30.6%27.5–33.7
High blood pressure among adults39.4%35.6–43.2
Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults7.9%7.1–8.7
Current asthma among adults10.3%9.0–11.5
Coronary heart disease among adults7.3%6.6–8.0
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults8.6%7.7–9.6
Depression among adults27.2%23.6–30.8
Diagnosed diabetes among adults13.7%12.0–15.5
High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened37.8%33.9–41.7
Obesity among adults41.1%35.0–47.4
Stroke among adults3.9%3.6–4.2
All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years17.2%14.2–20.7
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years8.4%7.2–9.8
Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure77.3%74.5–79.9
Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults80.1%76.9–83.1
Cholesterol screening among adults86.0%84.2–87.7
Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years69.7%64.9–73.9
Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults60.1%56.4–63.8
Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years77.9%70.7–83.8
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Binge drinking among adults19.7%16.6–23.1
Current cigarette smoking among adults18.2%15.9–20.5
No leisure-time physical activity among adults28.4%24.6–32.4
Short sleep duration among adults36.8%31.2–42.5
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults23.0%20.4–25.6
Frequent mental distress among adults20.2%18.0–22.4
Frequent physical distress among adults15.2%13.5–17.0
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Cognitive disability among adults18.5%16.4–20.4
Any disability among adults37.4%33.4–41.4
Hearing disability among adults8.1%7.2–9.0
Independent living disability among adults9.8%8.8–10.8
Mobility disability among adults16.9%15.0–18.9
Self-care disability among adults4.6%4.2–5.0
Vision disability among adults5.9%5.4–6.4
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Lack of social and emotional support among adults27.2%23.6–30.9
Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults19.1%16.7–21.6
Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults16.1%14.1–18.2
Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults14.7%12.8–16.7
Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults10.0%8.8–11.2
Loneliness among adults37.7%32.8–42.5
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults10.5%9.1–11.8
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)LA median (p10–p90)
Poverty rate12.6%10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,36417.8% (6.0–36.8%) n=504
Uninsured 18–6412.4%9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,28610.4% (2.9–20.5%) n=505
No HS diploma (25+)13.4%7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,50514.0% (4.3–26.4%) n=508
Bachelor's or higher (25+)20.6%23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,50516.6% (5.9–37.1%) n=508
Unemployment rate (16+)4.6%3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,2745.5% (0.0–13.6%) n=501
Households without a vehicle2.9%3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,3226.0% (0.0–15.0%) n=504
Broadband subscription92.3%89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,32284.4% (64.1–94.5%) n=504
Housing cost burden (≥30% income)22.0%23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,32223.1% (9.3–41.8%) n=504
Homeownership rate83.7%78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,32277.4% (50.9–92.7%) n=504
Crowded housing (>1 per room)0.7%1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,3221.5% (0.0–4.8%) n=504
Foreign-born population3.1%2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,5531.2% (0.0–7.6%) n=508
Single-parent households44.7%53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,08748.0% (29.6–65.8%) n=495
Population 65+17.0%19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,55317.3% (10.2–29.0%) n=508
Median age38.3 yr42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,29239.6 yr (33.0–52.4) n=500
Median household income$71,611$72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318$56,458 ($34,647–$88,928) n=457
Median home value$233,700$222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049$163,450 ($86,100–$284,620) n=452
Median gross rent$1,118$1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670$915 ($606–$1,325) n=389
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)LA median (p10–p90)
Life expectancy at birth76.9 yr ± 0.7178.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,30875.9 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 0.71 years of 76.9, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.

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