ZIP code
78539
in Edinburg, TexasPopulation 37,168
49.98/ 100
Ranked #16,269 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 49%)
Ranked #538 of 1,868 Texas ZIPs (top 29%)
Ranked #2 of 27 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ZIPs (top 7.5%)
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)
27.7%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
112.4 days/year
in the top 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
188.4 days/year
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Physician access
4.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Outpatient-care access
0.82 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient clinics located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Pharmacy access
0.64 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
1.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
56%
in the bottom 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST21stUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Elder-services access
0.21 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 78539, one of several in Edinburg, Texas, on the composite measure, lands in the bottom 49% nationally (16,269th) and the top 29% of Texas (538th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
Where this area is stretched, the data is unambiguous: modeled uninsured stands in the top 1.6% nationally, extreme heat is in the top 1.0% nationally, and humid heat rests in the top 1.1% nationally. Modeled colon screening sits in the bottom 6.0% nationally, and expected annual loss registers in the top 6.5% nationally. Better still, physicians lands in the top 2.0% nationally, and outpatient resides in the top 2.9% nationally. Pharmacy lies in the top 3.0% nationally, and dental providers settles in the top 5.0% nationally. Distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 78504, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 71%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 83%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 79%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 42%
11%
Disability
healthier than 41%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
in the bottom 0.01%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 70%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 60%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 86%
8%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 51%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
in the bottom 0.03%
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 82.4 ± 1.8 years. A median household income of $66,967 predicts 78.5 years — 3.9 years above.
Ranked #192 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 82.4 ± 1.8 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 79.7 years — 2.8 years above them.
Ranked #990 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
78504
Texasshares a border
Score 52.49
Closest healthier
78535
Texasabout 26 mi away
Score 50.02
Similar health profile
75043
Texas99% similar profile
Score 50.11
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 | 18.4% | 16.6–20.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.3% | 27.6–33.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.5% | 4.1–4.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.7–5.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.8 |
| Depression among adults | 19.2% | 16.9–21.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.5% | 13.0–16.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.9% | 31.1–36.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.5% | 36.1–44.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.9% | 10.7–15.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 27.7% | 24.5–30.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.7% | 71.1–76.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 72.9% | 69.8–75.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.7% | 81.9–85.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 56.0% | 51.6–60.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 51.2% | 48.0–54.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 71.9% | 65.2–77.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.6% | 15.2–20.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.9% | 8.6–11.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.9% | 26.6–33.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.2% | 34.2–42.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.6% | 23.1–28.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.1% | 14.5–17.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.4% | 12.0–14.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.6% | 13.9–17.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.1% | 28.9–35.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.7% | 13.2–16.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.3–8.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TX median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 21.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 12.4% (3.5–26.4%) n=1,869 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 26.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 22.3% (8.2–41.5%) n=1,862 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 14.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.2% (2.5–30.0%) n=1,881 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 35.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.9% (9.0–51.4%) n=1,881 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.4%) n=1,865 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.8%) n=1,868 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (75.0–97.3%) n=1,868 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 26.2% (8.8–40.3%) n=1,868 |
| Homeownership rate | 54.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (46.4–92.3%) n=1,868 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 3.1% (0.0–9.0%) n=1,868 |
| Foreign-born population | 19.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.1% (0.1–26.4%) n=1,886 |
| Single-parent households | 39.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.5% (34.3–70.6%) n=1,861 |
| Population 65+ | 14.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 16.1% (8.6–30.1%) n=1,886 |
| Median age | 35.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 38.3 yr (30.9–52.3) n=1,866 |
| Median household income | $66,967 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $69,983 ($46,006–$112,413) n=1,737 |
| Median home value | $214,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $210,500 ($97,060–$429,760) n=1,693 |
| Median gross rent | $1,077 | $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 | 82.4 yr ± 0.92 | 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 0.92 years of 82.4, 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