ZIP code
90603
in Whittier, CaliforniaPopulation 21,118
61.28/ 100
Ranked #3,951 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 12.4%)
Ranked #447 of 1,719 California ZIPs (top 26%)
Ranked #151 of 371 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ZIPs (top 41%)
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.
Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
2.9%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
25.1%
in the bottom 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST27thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$136,705
in the top 5.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST82ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
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 ›PFOA in drinking water
96.9%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
140 intersections/sq mi
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
96.9%
in the top 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
0.06%
in the bottom 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST16thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
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 ›Dental provider access
0.94 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST82ndUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices 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 ›Loud transportation noise
1.9%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST60thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›The read
Overall, ZIP 90603, one of several in Whittier, California lands in the top 12.4% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,951st) and the top 26% of California (447th).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: modeled obesity is in the bottom 5.7% nationally, and household income settles in the top 5.7% nationally. Walkability resides in the top 5.6% nationally, and floodplain exposure registers in the bottom 7.2% nationally. Dental providers rests in the top 7.7% nationally. Set against that, modeled fine-particle stands in the top 2.4% nationally, modeled air-toxics cancer risk lies in the top 4.5% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water lands in the top 5.6% nationally. PFOS in drinking water sits in the top 5.7% nationally, and modeled loud transportation noise is in the top 7.9% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 92835, about 2.1 miles away, ranks better overall.
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 94%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 89%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 1%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 33%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 72%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 70%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 89%
8%
Disability
healthier than 77%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 70%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 67%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 63%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 82%
8%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 14%
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
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 80.0 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $136,705 predicts 81.3 years — 1.3 years below.
Ranked #1,627 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 80.0 ± 1.1 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 81.6 years — 1.6 years below them.
Ranked #1,491 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 1.1 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 94.4 (top 10%) — 93 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #18,052 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 80.0 ± 1.1 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
90604
Californiashares a border
Score 56.32
Closest healthier
92835
Californiaabout 2.1 mi away
Score 63.36
Similar health profile
90712
California99% similar profile
Score 61.47
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 | 19.9% | 18.3–21.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 27.9% | 25.9–29.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.8% | 6.3–7.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.6% | 7.8–9.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.7% | 4.2–5.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.2 |
| Depression among adults | 18.5% | 16.8–20.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.5% | 9.5–11.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.8% | 34.5–39.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 25.1% | 22.4–27.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–2.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.2% | 5.0–7.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.5% | 8.2–11.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.0% | 69.4–74.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 72.8% | 70.5–75.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.0% | 86.8–89.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.3% | 56.8–63.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.4% | 66.0–70.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.6% | 72.8–81.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.4% | 14.6–18.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.4% | 7.3–9.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.4% | 19.2–23.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.4% | 30.5–36.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.0% | 17.3–20.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.5% | 13.2–15.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.5% | 11.3–13.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.6% | 11.4–13.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.5% | 25.2–29.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.8–5.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.9–13.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.2% | 25.8–30.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 11.9–15.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.8–11.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 11.6–14.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–8.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 38.2% | 35.5–41.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–5.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 34.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 13.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 46.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 16.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 40.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $136,705 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $859,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $2,344 | $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 | 80.0 yr ± 0.58 | 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 0.58 years of 80.0, 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