ZIP code
71424
in Elmer, LouisianaPopulation 1,439
46.07/ 100
Ranked #21,266 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 34%)
Ranked #98 of 508 Louisiana ZIPs (top 19%)
Ranked #2 of 23 Alexandria, LA ZIPs (top 8.7%)
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.
Park land
54%
in the top 2.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.0%
in the bottom 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Households without a vehicle
29.4%
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
16.2%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
48.6 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
141.4 days/year
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST39thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
95.8%
in the top 7.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.7 pCi/L
in the bottom 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST62ndUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
0.31%
in the bottom 12.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
63.1%
in the top 13.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›The read
Elmer, Louisiana (ZIP 71424), by its composite score, sits in the bottom 34% nationally (21,266th) and the top 19% of Louisiana (98th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
The data opens on real and measurable burdens: households without a vehicle stands in the top 2.5% nationally, and unemployment registers in the top 3.2% nationally. Fatal road crashes settles in the top 4.3% nationally, and modeled humid heat sits in the top 7.0% nationally. Fiber broadband lies at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. More encouragingly, park land rests in the top 2.1% nationally, modeled arsenic resides in the bottom 2.2% nationally, and homeownership is in the top 7.6% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise lands at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Modeled radon stands in the bottom 3.9% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 71485, about 0.6 miles away.
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 Alexandria, 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 96%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 30%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 35%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 68%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 67%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 97%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 77%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 89%
11%
Disability
healthier than 75%
7%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 41%
8%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 34%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 69%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 75%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the top 0.00%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 63%
8%
Disability
healthier than 75%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 15%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 15%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
71409
Louisianashares a border
Score 42.43
Closest healthier
71485
Louisianaabout 0.6 mi away
Score 51.43
Similar health profile
71469
Louisiana98% similar profile
Score 43.43
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 | 33.1% | 29.6–36.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.1% | 36.1–44.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.1% | 8.2–10.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.7–8.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.8% | 7.7–10.1 |
| Depression among adults | 29.2% | 25.5–33.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.2% | 11.4–15.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.2% | 37.2–45.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.3% | 30.1–42.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.6% | 11.0–16.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.5–8.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.7% | 76.9–82.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.1% | 77.7–84.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.0% | 85.1–88.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.1% | 62.9–72.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.8% | 58.0–65.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.2% | 70.6–83.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.2% | 14.2–20.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.1% | 14.5–20.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.6% | 22.6–31.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.9% | 30.0–41.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.3% | 19.4–25.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.2% | 17.0–21.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.7% | 13.8–17.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.9% | 15.8–20.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 38.1% | 33.7–42.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.8–10.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.5% | 14.3–19.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–6.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.1% | 21.7–28.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.2% | 12.9–17.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.0% | 10.0–14.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.4–12.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 7.1–9.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.1% | 31.5–41.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 6.9–9.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | LA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 17.8% (6.0–36.8%) n=504 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 10.4% (2.9–20.5%) n=505 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 14.0% (4.3–26.4%) n=508 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 19.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.6% (5.9–37.1%) n=508 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 16.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 5.5% (0.0–13.6%) n=501 |
| Households without a vehicle | 29.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 6.0% (0.0–15.0%) n=504 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.4% (64.1–94.5%) n=504 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (9.3–41.8%) n=504 |
| Homeownership rate | 95.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.4% (50.9–92.7%) n=504 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.8%) n=504 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.2% (0.0–7.6%) n=508 |
| Single-parent households | 67.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.0% (29.6–65.8%) n=495 |
| Population 65+ | 11.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.3% (10.2–29.0%) n=508 |
| Median age | 33.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.6 yr (33.0–52.4) n=500 |
| Median household income | $56,179 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $56,458 ($34,647–$88,928) n=457 |
| Median home value | $115,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $163,450 ($86,100–$284,620) n=452 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 76.7 yr ± 1.33 | 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 1.33 years of 76.7, 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