ZIP code
87020
in Grants, New MexicoPopulation 11,966
46.82/ 100
Ranked #20,377 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #167 of 337 New Mexico ZIPs (top 50%)
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.
Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 0.09% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Lithium in drinking water
280 µg/L
in the top 0.09% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
10 per million
in the bottom 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
55.8%
in the bottom 5.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST34thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
8.5 days/year
in the bottom 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST39thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
1.8 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 6.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST30thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
17.3%
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST65thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
27.7%
in the top 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
94%
in the top 11.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›The read
Grants, New Mexico (ZIP 87020), on the composite measure, lands in the bottom 36% nationally (20,377th) and the top 50% of New Mexico (167th).
What the numbers press hardest on defines much of the story here: lithium in drinking water sits in the top 0.09% nationally, distance to a Superfund site registers at the national minimum, and modeled colon screening lands in the bottom 5.8% nationally. Walkability resides in the bottom 6.5% nationally, modeled uninsured lies in the top 7.2% nationally, and poverty settles in the top 8.4% nationally. On the encouraging side, modeled industrial-pollution burden stands in the bottom 0.09% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk is in the bottom 2.8% nationally. Distance to an emergency room rests at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled humid heat sits in the bottom 5.6% nationally.
In everyday language, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 87005, 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 60%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 88%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 96%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 47%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 64%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 33%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
“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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 76.2 ± 1.6 years. A median household income of $62,746 predicts 78.2 years — 2.0 years below.
Ranked #2,624 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
87005
New Mexicoshares a border
Score 49.91
Closest healthier
87049
New Mexicoshares a border
Score 52.61
Similar health profile
81125
Colorado96% similar profile
Score 48.20
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 | 25.2% | 22.3–28.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.1% | 30.4–38.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.2% | 6.5–8.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.9 |
| Depression among adults | 22.9% | 19.5–26.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.8% | 12.9–16.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.7% | 29.8–37.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.4% | 30.5–45.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 19.2% | 15.9–22.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 17.3% | 14.8–20.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.1% | 69.8–76.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 68.0% | 63.6–72.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.8% | 79.5–84.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 55.8% | 50.6–60.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 55.0% | 51.3–58.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 69.6% | 61.5–76.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.8% | 11.3–16.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.5% | 13.4–17.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.6% | 24.5–33.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.1% | 33.2–45.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.3% | 23.5–29.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.3% | 15.4–19.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.5% | 14.7–18.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.4% | 15.5–19.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.5% | 32.4–41.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.7–9.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.0% | 15.1–19.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–5.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.7–9.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.0% | 22.5–30.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.1% | 22.1–28.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 20.7% | 18.0–23.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.2% | 16.9–22.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 13.0% | 11.5–14.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.3% | 29.8–39.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.3% | 11.7–15.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NM median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 27.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.0% (0.0–39.0%) n=347 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 12.5% (0.0–35.5%) n=339 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 16.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (0.0–28.5%) n=350 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.3% (0.0–51.7%) n=350 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.8% (0.0–15.2%) n=339 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.3% (0.0–12.4%) n=347 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 83.1% (53.2–100.0%) n=347 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.6% (0.0–41.4%) n=347 |
| Homeownership rate | 69.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.2% (59.9–100.0%) n=347 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–11.2%) n=347 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.0–15.7%) n=352 |
| Single-parent households | 66.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 55.0% (28.8–100.0%) n=339 |
| Population 65+ | 17.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 22.8% (7.9–55.9%) n=352 |
| Median age | 39.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 45.0 yr (31.2–67.3) n=339 |
| Median household income | $62,746 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,329 ($33,023–$90,174) n=265 |
| Median home value | $154,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $185,100 ($77,100–$382,920) n=255 |
| Median gross rent | $766 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $917 ($549–$1,408) n=173 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NM median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 76.2 yr ± 0.82 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 79.5 yr (76.1–83.2) n=357 |
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 0.82 years of 76.2, 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