ZIP code
88242
in Hobbs, New MexicoPopulation 8,472
50.75/ 100
Ranked #15,210 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 47%)
Ranked #117 of 337 New Mexico ZIPs (top 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.
Nitrate in drinking water
6.2%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
55.1%
in the bottom 5.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST30thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
60 days/year
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
61.2 mi
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST81stUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.12 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health 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 ›Uninsured (under 65)
16.2%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST59thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Distance to an emergency room
Under 0.1 mi
in the bottom 11.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 11.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
2.1%
in the bottom 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS15thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Radon
1.1 pCi/L
in the bottom 24% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS24thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, ZIP 88242, one of several in Hobbs, New Mexico lands in the top 47% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,210th) and the top 35% of New Mexico (117th).
A handful of measures stand out most sharply across the profile here: distance to a Superfund site registers in the top 8.5% nationally, and mental-health providers rests in the top 8.5% nationally. Distance to an emergency room stands in the bottom 11.0% nationally. On the other side, modeled nitrate lies in the top 3.8% nationally, colon screening lands in the bottom 5.0% nationally, and extreme heat sits in the top 7.4% nationally. Modeled arsenic is in the top 10.1% nationally, mammography settles in the bottom 10.1% nationally, and uninsured resides in the top 8.8% nationally. Modeled disaster risk registers in the top 11.7% nationally.
A note on the terms: nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. This ZIP stands out as the strongest overall among its immediate neighbors.
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 80%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 65%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 48%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 48%
8%
Disability
healthier than 47%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 89%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Disability
healthier than 81%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 75%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 37%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 35%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 19%
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 77.1 ± 2.1 years. A median household income of $90,000 predicts 79.7 years — 2.5 years below.
Ranked #3,484 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
79360
Texasshares a border
Score 43.44
Similar health profile
99348
Washington97% similar profile
Score 50.59
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 | 23.1% | 20.3–26.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.1% | 28.2–36.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 8.6–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.3–6.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.7–7.2 |
| Depression among adults | 22.7% | 19.3–26.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.7% | 9.2–12.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.2% | 29.1–37.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.1% | 28.5–42.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 3.0–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.1% | 11.5–17.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 16.2% | 14.2–18.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 71.3% | 67.7–74.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 66.1% | 61.4–70.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.5% | 79.0–83.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 55.1% | 49.8–60.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.8% | 56.0–63.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 68.9% | 60.5–76.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.7% | 13.6–20.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.5% | 12.5–16.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.7% | 21.8–30.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.8% | 26.4–37.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.0% | 19.5–24.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.3% | 15.4–19.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.6% | 13.0–16.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.3% | 14.5–18.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.1% | 29.1–37.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–8.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.9–9.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.2–15.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.9–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.7% | 21.9–29.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.7% | 17.0–22.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.3% | 13.0–17.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.6% | 14.4–19.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.3% | 9.0–11.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.9% | 30.9–41.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.2–12.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NM median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.0% (0.0–39.0%) n=347 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 12.5% (0.0–35.5%) n=339 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 16.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (0.0–28.5%) n=350 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 20.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.3% (0.0–51.7%) n=350 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.8% (0.0–15.2%) n=339 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 2.3% (0.0–12.4%) n=347 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 83.1% (53.2–100.0%) n=347 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 18.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 18.6% (0.0–41.4%) n=347 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 83.2% (59.9–100.0%) n=347 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.4% (0.0–11.2%) n=347 |
| Foreign-born population | 16.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.0–15.7%) n=352 |
| Single-parent households | 45.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 55.0% (28.8–100.0%) n=339 |
| Population 65+ | 9.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 22.8% (7.9–55.9%) n=352 |
| Median age | 32.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 45.0 yr (31.2–67.3) n=339 |
| Median household income | $90,000 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,329 ($33,023–$90,174) n=265 |
| Median home value | $260,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $185,100 ($77,100–$382,920) n=255 |
| Median gross rent | $1,534 | $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 | 77.1 yr ± 1.08 | 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 1.08 years of 77.1, 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