ZIP code
88124
in Melrose, New MexicoPopulation 891
41.75/ 100
Ranked #25,430 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 21%)
Ranked #232 of 337 New Mexico ZIPs (bottom 31%)
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.
Recreation access
2.9 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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 ›Walkability
0.83 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Nitrate in drinking water
18.9%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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 ›Lithium in drinking water
70 µg/L
in the top 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST72ndUS94thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
8.8%
in the bottom 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST16thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
70.4 mi
in the top 6.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
19.8%
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Mammography
68.1%
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST49thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
28.6%
in the top 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
11.1 mi
in the top 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST45thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, Melrose, New Mexico (ZIP 88124) ranks in the bottom 21% nationally (25,430th) and the bottom 31% of New Mexico (232nd), based on limited data; treat as directional.
The measures that press hardest set the tone here: walkability resides in the bottom 2.0% nationally, and modeled nitrate lands in the top 2.3% nationally. Lithium in drinking water registers in the top 6.4% nationally, and modeled arsenic sits in the top 6.6% nationally. Modeled mammography rests in the bottom 7.8% nationally, poverty is in the top 7.7% nationally, and distance to a nursing home stands in the top 9.2% nationally. On the stronger side, recreation settles in the top 0.6% nationally, modeled pfas lies in the bottom 6.5% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site resides in the top 6.5% nationally.
In plainer terms, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 88101, 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.
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 60%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 25%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 30%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Disability
healthier than 18%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 37%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 13%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 64%
13%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 28%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 13%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 25%
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
88101
New Mexicoshares a border
Score 44.60
Closest healthier
88120
New Mexicoshares a border
Score 50.69
Similar health profile
98943
Washington95% similar profile
Score 36.95
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 | 32.7% | 29.4–36.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.2% | 36.2–44.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.5–10.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.3% | 10.0–12.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.2–10.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.1% | 8.8–11.7 |
| Depression among adults | 26.8% | 23.3–31.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.5% | 12.7–16.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.2% | 34.2–42.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.2% | 33.6–47.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.4% | 11.8–17.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.7% | 8.8–12.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.5% | 73.5–79.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.5% | 67.7–75.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.2% | 82.0–86.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.4% | 55.0–65.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.2% | 59.5–66.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 68.1% | 59.7–75.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.5% | 11.2–16.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.3% | 14.6–20.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.7% | 23.3–32.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.8% | 30.9–42.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.1% | 21.9–28.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.9% | 15.8–20.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.7% | 15.7–20.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.9% | 14.8–19.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.9% | 32.6–41.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.2% | 15.9–20.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.1–6.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.4–8.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.6% | 19.3–26.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.4% | 15.6–21.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 17.7% | 14.9–20.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.5% | 11.6–15.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.7–11.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.8% | 28.2–37.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.2–12.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NM median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 28.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.0% (0.0–39.0%) n=347 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 12.5% (0.0–35.5%) n=339 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (0.0–28.5%) n=350 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.3% (0.0–51.7%) n=350 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.8% (0.0–15.2%) n=339 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.3% (0.0–12.4%) n=347 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 83.1% (53.2–100.0%) n=347 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.6% (0.0–41.4%) n=347 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.2% (59.9–100.0%) n=347 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–11.2%) n=347 |
| Foreign-born population | 5.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.0–15.7%) n=352 |
| Single-parent households | 50.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 55.0% (28.8–100.0%) n=339 |
| Population 65+ | 21.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 22.8% (7.9–55.9%) n=352 |
| Median age | 45.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 45.0 yr (31.2–67.3) n=339 |
| Median household income | $51,618 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,329 ($33,023–$90,174) n=265 |
| Median home value | $161,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $185,100 ($77,100–$382,920) n=255 |
| Median gross rent | $841 | $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 | 79.5 yr ± 0.74 | 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 0.74 years of 79.5, 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