ZIP code
70785
in Walker, LouisianaPopulation 23,921
42.73/ 100
Ranked #24,613 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 23%)
Ranked #165 of 508 Louisiana ZIPs (top 32%)
Ranked #41 of 83 Baton Rouge, LA ZIPs (top 49%)
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
76.9%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS97thDefinition & 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
149.8 days/year
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS95thDefinition & 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 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
39.7 per million
in the top 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Radon
0.6 pCi/L
in the bottom 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Home broadband subscription
94.6%
in the top 21% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS79thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
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
Walker, Louisiana (ZIP 70785), by its overall standing, sits in the bottom 23% nationally (24,613th) and the top 32% of Louisiana (165th).
The data points to real strain across a number of measures here: floodplain exposure is in the top 1.3% nationally, distance to a Superfund site resides at the national minimum, and modeled industrial-pollution burden rests in the top 3.1% nationally. Modeled humid heat lies in the top 4.8% nationally, expected annual loss sits in the top 6.5% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk settles in the top 6.9% nationally. Modeled disaster risk registers in the top 11.4% nationally, and binge drinking stands in the top 10.5% nationally. On the brighter side, modeled radon lands in the bottom 1.1% nationally. Distance to a community health center is at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs.
Held up against its neighbors, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined in plain terms, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 70706, 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 Baton Rouge, LA metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 67%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 44%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 53%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 52%
13%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 36%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 1%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 76%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 63%
11%
Disability
healthier than 76%
7%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 41%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 35%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 8%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 60%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 72%
14%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Disability
healthier than 55%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 12%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 9%
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
2 of our published findings list 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 75.5 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $89,103 predicts 79.6 years — 4.1 years below.
Ranked #5,138 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 39.7 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 75.5 ± 1.1 years.
Ranked #1,484 of the 4,173 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by modeled air-toxics risk, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
70453
Louisianashares a border
Score 37.52
Closest healthier
70706
Louisianashares a border
Score 47.35
Similar health profile
42371
Kentucky99% similar profile
Score 44.88
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 | 29.2% | 26.3–32.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.3% | 36.5–44.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–8.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.2 |
| Depression among adults | 30.4% | 26.7–34.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.9% | 11.3–14.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.0% | 35.1–43.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.8% | 33.0–44.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.1% | 13.2–19.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.0% | 6.8–9.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.4% | 73.6–79.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.0% | 77.9–84.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.5% | 83.7–87.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.6% | 59.6–69.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 58.5% | 54.8–62.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.2% | 69.8–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.1% | 16.1–22.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.0% | 15.7–20.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.5% | 23.8–31.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.7% | 33.0–44.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.1% | 19.6–24.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.0% | 17.9–22.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.3% | 13.7–17.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.8% | 16.9–20.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 38.0% | 34.1–42.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.2–9.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.4% | 13.7–17.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.8–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.2% | 22.7–29.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.3% | 15.9–20.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.4% | 12.5–16.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.2% | 11.4–15.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–10.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.9% | 29.4–38.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | LA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 17.8% (6.0–36.8%) n=504 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 10.4% (2.9–20.5%) n=505 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 14.0% (4.3–26.4%) n=508 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.6% (5.9–37.1%) n=508 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 5.5% (0.0–13.6%) n=501 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 6.0% (0.0–15.0%) n=504 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.4% (64.1–94.5%) n=504 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (9.3–41.8%) n=504 |
| Homeownership rate | 83.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.4% (50.9–92.7%) n=504 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.8%) n=504 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.2% (0.0–7.6%) n=508 |
| Single-parent households | 48.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.0% (29.6–65.8%) n=495 |
| Population 65+ | 13.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.3% (10.2–29.0%) n=508 |
| Median age | 36.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.6 yr (33.0–52.4) n=500 |
| Median household income | $89,103 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $56,458 ($34,647–$88,928) n=457 |
| Median home value | $245,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $163,450 ($86,100–$284,620) n=452 |
| Median gross rent | $1,041 | $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 | 75.5 yr ± 0.57 | 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 0.57 years of 75.5, 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