ZIP code
91941
in La Mesa, CaliforniaPopulation 33,218
60.18/ 100
Ranked #4,732 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 14.8%)
Ranked #503 of 1,719 California ZIPs (top 29%)
Ranked #53 of 106 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ZIPs (top 50%)
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
3.0%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Obesity
26.1%
in the bottom 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST33rdUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
0.12%
in the bottom 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
110 intersections/sq mi
in the top 9.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST75thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
1.7%
in the bottom 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST29thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
41.4 mi
in the top 17% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS83rdDefinition & 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 ›The read
ZIP 91941, one of several in La Mesa, California, by its composite score, sits in the top 14.8% healthiest ZIPs nationally (4,732nd) and the top 29% of California (503rd).
The standout strengths in the data are the natural place to begin: modeled obesity rests in the bottom 7.4% nationally, and floodplain exposure resides in the bottom 7.7% nationally. Walkability is in the top 9.6% nationally, and modeled energy burden lands in the bottom 8.0% nationally. Distance to a nursing home stands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Household income registers in the top 11.3% nationally. On the other side, modeled loud transportation noise settles in the top 3.8% nationally, modeled tree cover sits at the national minimum, and housing-cost burden lies in the top 10.2% nationally. Modeled transportation noise rests in the top 11.2% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". Energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 92119, about 0.9 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 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 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 84%
11%
Disability
healthier than 74%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 95%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 48%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 72%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 68%
11%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 58%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 65%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 88%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Disability
healthier than 53%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
91942
Californiashares a border
Score 59.17
Closest healthier
92119
Californiaabout 0.9 mi away
Score 65.09
Similar health profile
95404
California99% similar profile
Score 61.39
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% | 21.2–25.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.2% | 28.9–33.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.7% | 8.0–9.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.7% | 8.7–10.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.5% | 4.9–6.1 |
| Depression among adults | 22.6% | 20.3–25.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.1% | 9.0–11.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.0% | 32.5–38.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 26.1% | 23.1–29.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.9–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.8% | 7.1–10.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.9% | 6.0–7.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.7% | 67.9–73.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.8% | 72.3–77.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.6% | 86.3–88.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.3% | 61.4–68.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.8% | 64.0–69.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.7% | 71.9–82.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.3% | 14.3–18.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.3% | 17.2–21.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.0% | 30.6–37.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.1% | 16.4–20.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.5% | 15.0–18.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.4% | 11.2–13.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.4% | 12.2–14.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.2% | 24.9–30.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.9–8.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.6% | 11.3–14.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.2–5.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.4% | 23.8–29.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 11.6–14.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.4–14.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.1% | 10.7–13.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.7% | 31.6–38.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.4–7.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 47.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 39.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 67.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 10.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 50.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 18.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 41.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $115,381 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $928,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $2,147 | $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 | 80.8 yr ± 0.54 | 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 0.54 years of 80.8, 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