ZIP code
85201
in Mesa, ArizonaPopulation 51,400
50.51/ 100
Ranked #15,541 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 48%)
Ranked #192 of 394 Arizona ZIPs (top 49%)
Ranked #104 of 159 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ ZIPs (bottom 35%)
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.
Dry extreme heat
138.3 days/year
in the top 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
88%
in the top 0.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
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 ›Lithium in drinking water
140 µg/L
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
829 units
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
39.4%
in the bottom 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
56.3%
in the bottom 6.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST32ndUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Walkability
140 intersections/sq mi
in the top 6.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
2.0%
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
9.7%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & 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 ›The read
On the composite measure, ZIP 85201, one of several in Mesa, Arizona stands in the top 48% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,541st) and the top 49% of Arizona (192nd).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: subsidized affordable housing settles in the top 2.0% nationally, and walkability rests in the top 6.2% nationally. By contrast, modeled extreme heat lands in the top 0.2% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure settles in the top 0.4% nationally. Lithium in drinking water rests in the top 1.3% nationally, modeled tree cover lands at the national minimum, and homeownership settles in the bottom 5.2% nationally. Modeled colon screening rests in the bottom 6.4% nationally, loud transportation noise lands in the top 7.2% nationally, and transportation noise settles in the top 9.0% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". ZIP 85202, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area.
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 80%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 68%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 55%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 57%
11%
Disability
healthier than 48%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 14%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 77%
21%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 52%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 32%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 23%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 57%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 42%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 37%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 28%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
Disability
healthier than 38%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
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 76.3 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $67,294 predicts 78.5 years — 2.3 years below.
Ranked #3,077 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 76.3 ± 1.2 years. The 42 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 79.0 years — 2.8 years below them.
Ranked #2,194 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
85202
Arizonashares a border
Score 52.83
Closest healthier
85203
Arizonashares a border
Score 52.87
Similar health profile
85326
Arizona98% similar profile
Score 50.50
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 | 21.6% | 20.1–23.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.3% | 27.4–31.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.7% | 6.2–7.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.6% | 9.6–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.4% | 5.0–5.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–6.8 |
| Depression among adults | 19.9% | 18.0–22.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.7% | 9.7–11.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.1% | 31.9–36.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.7% | 29.2–36.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.9–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 17.4% | 15.0–20.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 16.3% | 14.5–18.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 69.3% | 67.0–71.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 70.6% | 68.0–73.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.6% | 79.8–83.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 56.3% | 53.0–59.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 54.3% | 51.6–57.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.6% | 67.7–77.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.8% | 14.9–18.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.8% | 11.5–14.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.2% | 20.9–25.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.3% | 34.0–41.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.1% | 19.4–22.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.1% | 15.7–18.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.8% | 11.7–14.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.4% | 15.0–17.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.3% | 29.9–34.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.4–7.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.8–9.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.5% | 12.3–14.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.8–6.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.4% | 25.2–29.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 21.0% | 19.1–23.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.5% | 13.8–17.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.5% | 14.0–17.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.2% | 10.2–12.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.4% | 31.9–37.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 8.0–9.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AZ median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 12.8% (4.6–36.9%) n=396 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 17.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.0% (5.0–32.9%) n=394 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.3% (2.0–25.9%) n=397 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.8% (6.0–53.1%) n=397 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.8% (0.0–14.3%) n=395 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–14.3%) n=394 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 90.4% (57.1–97.2%) n=394 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 40.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.5% (8.5–37.5%) n=394 |
| Homeownership rate | 39.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 76.3% (44.6–92.8%) n=394 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 6.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 3.3% (0.0–15.7%) n=394 |
| Foreign-born population | 14.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 7.6% (0.0–20.4%) n=397 |
| Single-parent households | 37.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.4% (30.6–79.7%) n=388 |
| Population 65+ | 10.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (8.0–46.8%) n=397 |
| Median age | 32.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.9 yr (30.0–62.5) n=394 |
| Median household income | $67,294 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $69,137 ($39,000–$114,111) n=371 |
| Median home value | $328,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $326,300 ($73,560–$591,760) n=363 |
| Median gross rent | $1,445 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,303 ($683–$2,093) n=323 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AZ median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 76.3 yr ± 0.63 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 78.5 yr (75.1–82.8) n=354 |
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 0.63 years of 76.3, 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