ZIP code
91916
in Descanso, CaliforniaPopulation 1,710
58.11/ 100
Ranked #6,308 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #608 of 1,719 California ZIPs (top 35%)
Ranked #60 of 106 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ZIPs (bottom 43%)
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.
Natural-disaster risk
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Park land
50.9%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Distance to an emergency room
19.2 mi
in the top 6.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Obesity
26.6%
in the bottom 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST36thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
13.3 mi
in the top 6.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›Child-care access
0.58 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Poverty rate
3.8%
in the bottom 13.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS13thDefinition & 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 Superfund site
42.6 mi
in the top 17% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS83rdDefinition & 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
1.6%
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS17thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
0.61%
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS17thDefinition & 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 ›The read
By its overall health score, Descanso, California (ZIP 91916) lands in the top 20% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,308th) and the top 35% of California (608th).
The measures split the difference for this area: park land lies in the top 2.4% nationally, and modeled obesity resides in the bottom 8.4% nationally. Childcare lands in the top 7.7% nationally, and floodplain exposure registers in the bottom 12.1% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility sits in the top 12.9% nationally, and poverty rests in the bottom 13.2% nationally. Against that, modeled disaster risk is in the top 2.0% nationally, distance to an emergency room stands in the top 6.1% nationally, and distance to a nursing home settles in the top 6.7% nationally. Fiber broadband lies at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 92036, 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. Compare it against the US, this state and the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, 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 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 99%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 73%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 83%
11%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 48%
8%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 17%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the top 0.7%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 87%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 11%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 99%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 52%
16%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 9%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 34%
8%
Disability
healthier than 37%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 5%
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
91901
Californiashares a border
Score 57.63
Closest healthier
92036
Californiashares a border
Score 60.62
Similar health profile
03446
New Hampshire96% similar profile
Score 54.14
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 | 28.2% | 25.7–30.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.4% | 32.6–38.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.9% | 9.9–11.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 9.0–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–8.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.0–8.4 |
| Depression among adults | 23.6% | 21.1–26.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.3% | 9.8–12.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.1% | 36.2–42.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 26.6% | 23.3–30.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.8% | 7.9–11.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.1% | 5.0–7.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.9% | 70.8–76.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.5% | 74.0–79.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.3% | 87.9–90.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.0% | 65.1–72.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.0% | 66.2–71.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.2% | 73.7–83.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.8% | 13.8–18.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.1% | 9.9–14.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.3% | 17.3–23.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.6% | 29.2–35.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.4% | 16.8–22.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.6% | 14.8–18.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.2% | 12.5–16.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 12.0–15.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.8% | 26.4–33.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.3–8.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.0% | 6.9–9.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.9% | 12.8–17.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.0–5.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.2% | 23.1–29.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.3% | 9.4–13.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.3% | 9.2–13.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.2% | 8.6–11.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.7–7.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.0% | 30.5–37.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.3–5.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 17.3% | 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+) | 18.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 9.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 33.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 9.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 69.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 26.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 43.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $103,438 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $676,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $3,000 | $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 | 76.1 yr ± 1.08 | 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 1.08 years of 76.1, 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