ZIP code
71261
in Mer Rouge, LouisianaPopulation 1,171
22.39/ 100
Ranked #31,714 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 1.1%)
Ranked #493 of 508 Louisiana ZIPs (bottom 3.0%)
Ranked #23 of 24 Monroe, LA ZIPs (bottom 4.2%)
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.
Stroke
8.2%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
10.0%
in the top 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
31.9%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
25%
in the top 0.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
59.1%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
13.9%
in the top 0.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
12.5%
in the top 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
16.6%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
38.1%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
32.9%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
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 flood exposure and the share of households without a vehicle.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →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
Mer Rouge, Louisiana (ZIP 71261), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 1.1% nationally (31,714th) and the bottom 3.0% of Louisiana (493rd).
A few readings account for most of this area's strain: modeled stroke settles in the top 0.3% nationally, self-care disability lands in the top 0.7% nationally, and mobility disability rests in the top 0.3% nationally. Modeled diabetes settles in the top 0.4% nationally, high blood pressure lands in the top 0.3% nationally, and coronary heart disease rests in the top 0.4% nationally. Modeled vision disability settles in the top 1.7% nationally, and independent living disability lands in the top 1.2% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health rests in the top 1.2% nationally, and tooth loss settles in the top 1.8% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, grocery runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 71220, 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 Monroe, 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 94%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 58%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
in the bottom 0.2%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 1%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
Disability
in the bottom 0.3%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 2%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 94%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 51%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
in the bottom 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Disability
in the bottom 0.3%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 90%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
in the bottom 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Disability
in the bottom 0.00%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
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.
Clean environment, heavy chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 94.1 (top 10%); chronic-disease standing 0.2 (bottom 1%) — 94 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #39 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
71220
Louisianashares a border
Score 26.71
Closest healthier
71223
Louisianashares a border
Score 27.25
Similar health profile
29516
South Carolina99% similar profile
Score 34.54
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 | 43.5% | 39.4–47.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 59.1% | 54.6–63.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.1% | 9.1–11.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.4% | 9.9–12.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 13.9% | 12.5–15.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 16.9% | 14.9–19.1 |
| Depression among adults | 26.9% | 22.9–30.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 25.0% | 22.0–28.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 48.3% | 43.3–53.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 45.0% | 36.6–53.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–9.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 32.9% | 28.2–37.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.9% | 9.1–13.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 85.5% | 83.2–87.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 84.9% | 82.0–87.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.1% | 85.3–88.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.6% | 61.3–72.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 47.3% | 43.5–51.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.3% | 64.8–81.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.0% | 9.7–14.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 25.3% | 21.8–28.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 43.7% | 37.7–49.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.6% | 34.7–49.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 38.1% | 33.8–42.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.0% | 17.6–22.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 22.2% | 19.5–24.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 22.4% | 19.8–25.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 52.0% | 46.7–57.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 13.4% | 11.9–15.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 16.6% | 14.7–18.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 31.9% | 28.3–35.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–13.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 30.9% | 26.8–35.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 34.4% | 30.2–38.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 34.6% | 30.4–38.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 21.3% | 18.6–24.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 16.2% | 14.2–18.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.6% | 32.2–43.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 17.8% | 15.6–20.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | LA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 38.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 17.8% (6.0–36.8%) n=504 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 23.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 10.4% (2.9–20.5%) n=505 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 22.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 14.0% (4.3–26.4%) n=508 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 8.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.6% (5.9–37.1%) n=508 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 11.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 5.5% (0.0–13.6%) n=501 |
| Households without a vehicle | 13.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 6.0% (0.0–15.0%) n=504 |
| Broadband subscription | 75.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.4% (64.1–94.5%) n=504 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 36.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (9.3–41.8%) n=504 |
| Homeownership rate | 57.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.4% (50.9–92.7%) n=504 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.8%) n=504 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.2% (0.0–7.6%) n=508 |
| Single-parent households | 65.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.0% (29.6–65.8%) n=495 |
| Population 65+ | 46.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.3% (10.2–29.0%) n=508 |
| Median age | 63.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.6 yr (33.0–52.4) n=500 |
| Median household income | — | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $56,458 ($34,647–$88,928) n=457 |
| Median home value | $92,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $163,450 ($86,100–$284,620) n=452 |
| Median gross rent | $585 | $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 | 71.3 yr ± 1.41 | 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 1.41 years of 71.3, 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