ZIP code
90240
in Downey, CaliforniaPopulation 24,853
56.44/ 100
Ranked #7,829 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 24%)
Ranked #699 of 1,719 California ZIPs (top 41%)
Ranked #214 of 371 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ZIPs (bottom 42%)
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.
Loud transportation noise
5.5%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
53%
in the bottom 3.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST16thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
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 ›PFOS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
3.1%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of days in the year when modeled fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution was above the EPA’s daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
16.1%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Loneliness
40%
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Walkability
160 intersections/sq mi
in the top 4.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
10.4%
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
40 per million
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS96thDefinition & 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 ›The read
In overall standing, ZIP 90240, one of several in Downey, California comes out in the top 24% healthiest ZIPs nationally (7,829th) and the top 41% of California (699th).
Both sides of the picture show up plainly in this area's numbers: walkability resides in the top 4.2% nationally. By contrast, modeled loud transportation noise rests in the top 1.1% nationally, modeled colon screening lies in the bottom 3.4% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water sits at the national maximum. PFOS in drinking water settles at the national maximum, and modeled fine-particle registers in the top 2.2% nationally. Modeled transportation noise stands in the top 3.8% nationally, and loneliness lands in the top 4.2% nationally. Crowded housing is in the top 4.3% nationally, and modeled air-toxics cancer risk resides in the top 4.5% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, expected annual loss runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. PFOS in drinking water is a common one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 90703, about 3.3 miles away.
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 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 95%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 76%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 83%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.2%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 85%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 52%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 55%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.8%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 32%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 76%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 80%
8%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 41%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Disability
healthier than 48%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 44%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 3%
14%
“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
4 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 82.0 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $101,904 predicts 80.2 years — 1.8 years above.
Ranked #1,066 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 82.0 ± 1.3 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.3 years — 1.6 years above them.
Ranked #1,473 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 0.2 (bottom 1%); chronic-disease standing 95.1 (top 10%) — 95 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #18,111 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 40.0 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 82.0 ± 1.3 years.
Ranked #504 of the 4,173 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by modeled air-toxics risk, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
90040
Californiashares a border
Score 45.06
Closest healthier
90703
Californiaabout 3.3 mi away
Score 68.80
Similar health profile
90065
California99% similar profile
Score 55.71
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 | 18.0% | 16.6–19.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 27.5% | 25.6–29.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.3% | 4.9–5.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.5% | 7.7–9.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.1 |
| Depression among adults | 17.9% | 16.2–19.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.7% | 10.6–12.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.9% | 33.7–38.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 26.6% | 23.9–29.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–2.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.2% | 6.7–9.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.3% | 11.5–15.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.4% | 67.8–72.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.1% | 68.7–73.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.8% | 84.3–87.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 53.0% | 49.5–56.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.0% | 60.4–65.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.4% | 71.5–80.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.9% | 14.2–17.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.0% | 7.9–10.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.2% | 22.8–27.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.1% | 32.2–37.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.7% | 20.8–24.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.2% | 13.9–16.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.4% | 12.3–14.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.4% | 13.1–15.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.9% | 27.5–32.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.1% | 11.9–14.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.4–6.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 30.5% | 28.1–33.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.1% | 17.0–21.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.5% | 12.8–16.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.3% | 15.5–19.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 8.3–10.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 40.0% | 37.3–42.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.9% | 6.0–7.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 15.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 29.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 43.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 64.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 10.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 31.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 42.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 13.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 38.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $101,904 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $815,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,926 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,912 ($1,113–$2,923) n=1,461 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 81.9 yr ± 0.67 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 80.5 yr (76.7–83.8) n=1,665 |
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 0.67 years of 81.9, 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