ZIP code
78521
in Brownsville, TexasPopulation 87,380
36.21/ 100
Ranked #28,904 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 9.9%)
Ranked #1,688 of 1,868 Texas ZIPs (bottom 9.7%)
Ranked #15 of 16 Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ZIPs (bottom 6.3%)
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.
Uninsured (under 65)
41.6%
in the top 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
14.3%
in the top 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
47.5%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
36.9%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
8.2%
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
189.6 days/year
in the top 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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
$1
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
1,017 units
in the top 1.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
20.7%
in the top 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
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
ZIP 78521, one of several in Brownsville, Texas, overall, ranks in the bottom 9.9% nationally (28,904th) and the bottom 9.7% of Texas (1,688th).
This area's pressures are easy to read across the measures: modeled uninsured is in the top 0.2% nationally, vision disability sits in the top 0.7% nationally, and colon screening lands in the bottom 1.3% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health lies in the top 1.6% nationally, self-care disability stands in the top 2.5% nationally, and humid heat rests in the top 1.0% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss registers in the top 1.1% nationally, and diabetes resides in the top 2.8% nationally. PFOA in drinking water settles at the national maximum. On the brighter side, subsidized affordable housing is in the top 1.4% nationally.
Measured against the nearby ZIPs, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. ZIP 78520, just across the boundary, comes out 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 Brownsville-Harlingen, TX 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 88%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 61%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 51%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 2%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Disability
healthier than 4%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.2%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 80%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 66%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 38%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Disability
healthier than 3%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 1%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 57%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 21%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.00%
16%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.00%
8%
Disability
in the bottom 0.00%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.00%
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 79.2 ± 0.9 years. A median household income of $44,509 predicts 76.9 years — 2.3 years above.
Ranked #781 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
78520
Texasshares a border
Score 42.26
Closest healthier
78526
Texasshares a border
Score 51.78
Similar health profile
79364
Texas99% similar profile
Score 43.65
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 | 20.7% | 18.6–23.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.3% | 32.3–38.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–4.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.8% | 7.1–8.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.2% | 6.5–8.0 |
| Depression among adults | 19.8% | 17.3–22.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 20.7% | 18.7–22.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.3% | 34.1–40.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.8% | 38.0–47.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 21.4% | 18.2–24.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 41.6% | 38.5–44.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.6% | 73.0–78.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.0% | 67.7–74.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 80.5% | 78.5–82.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 47.5% | 43.0–51.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 41.4% | 38.4–44.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 69.2% | 62.2–75.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.7% | 12.5–17.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.4% | 13.5–17.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 42.3% | 38.4–46.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.4% | 36.9–45.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 36.9% | 33.9–40.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.9% | 16.1–19.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.6% | 16.7–20.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 21.2% | 19.2–23.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 41.2% | 37.6–44.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.8–9.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 13.5% | 12.2–14.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 22.1% | 20.0–24.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.6–8.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 14.3% | 13.2–15.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TX median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 30.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 12.4% (3.5–26.4%) n=1,869 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 44.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 22.3% (8.2–41.5%) n=1,862 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 36.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.2% (2.5–30.0%) n=1,881 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.9% (9.0–51.4%) n=1,881 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.4%) n=1,865 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.8%) n=1,868 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (75.0–97.3%) n=1,868 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 26.2% (8.8–40.3%) n=1,868 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (46.4–92.3%) n=1,868 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 13.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 3.1% (0.0–9.0%) n=1,868 |
| Foreign-born population | 30.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.1% (0.1–26.4%) n=1,886 |
| Single-parent households | 38.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.5% (34.3–70.6%) n=1,861 |
| Population 65+ | 14.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 16.1% (8.6–30.1%) n=1,886 |
| Median age | 31.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 38.3 yr (30.9–52.3) n=1,866 |
| Median household income | $44,509 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $69,983 ($46,006–$112,413) n=1,737 |
| Median home value | $99,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $210,500 ($97,060–$429,760) n=1,693 |
| Median gross rent | $889 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,154 ($764–$1,815) n=1,508 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TX median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 79.2 yr ± 0.45 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 78.2 yr (75.1–81.7) n=1,772 |
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 0.45 years of 79.2, 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