ZIP code
92020
in El Cajon, CaliforniaPopulation 57,842
49.33/ 100
Ranked #17,195 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 46%)
Ranked #1,115 of 1,719 California ZIPs (bottom 35%)
Ranked #99 of 106 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ZIPs (bottom 6.7%)
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.
Housing-cost burden
51.6%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
10.7%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
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 ›Crowded housing
11.5%
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
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 ›Homeownership rate
44.4%
in the bottom 6.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST20thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
0.93 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.0% 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 ›Transportation noise
9.4%
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST72ndUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Radon
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS8thDefinition & 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
ZIP 92020, one of several in El Cajon, California, by its composite score, sits in the bottom 46% nationally (17,195th) and the bottom 35% of California (1,115th).
The measures land in both directions, and neither dominates: dental providers resides in the top 8.0% nationally. Distance to a community health center is at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 11.6% nationally. Pulling the other way, housing-cost burden stands in the top 2.6% nationally, outer-floodplain exposure registers in the top 3.6% nationally, and crowded housing settles in the top 3.7% nationally. Modeled tree cover sits at the national minimum, homeownership lies in the bottom 6.6% nationally, and modeled transportation noise rests in the top 9.4% nationally. Modeled loneliness resides in the top 10.9% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 91941, 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 74%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 83%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 52%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Disability
healthier than 31%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 76%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 31%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 34%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 29%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
Disability
healthier than 29%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 48%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 14%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 8%
7%
“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
2 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 77.8 ± 1.0 years. A median household income of $76,032 predicts 79.0 years — 1.2 years below.
Ranked #1,579 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 77.8 ± 1.0 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.8 years — 3.1 years below them.
Ranked #2,419 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
91941
Californiashares a border
Score 60.18
Closest healthier
91942
Californiashares a border
Score 59.17
Similar health profile
95482
California95% similar profile
Score 48.10
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 | 23.3% | 21.4–25.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.6% | 30.2–35.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.6% | 7.0–8.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.2–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.6–8.1 |
| Depression among adults | 24.4% | 22.0–27.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.7% | 10.5–13.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.7% | 32.2–37.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 29.4% | 26.1–33.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.9% | 11.6–16.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.9% | 9.6–12.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 68.8% | 66.0–71.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 72.4% | 69.8–75.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.3% | 81.7–85.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.6% | 56.5–64.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 58.5% | 55.6–61.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.3% | 68.1–79.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.2% | 14.2–18.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.7% | 13.1–16.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.4% | 22.8–28.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.1% | 32.6–39.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 24.7% | 22.6–27.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.6% | 17.8–21.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.2% | 13.8–16.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.9% | 16.4–19.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.3% | 30.6–36.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.6–11.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.0% | 14.5–17.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.7–5.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.5% | 26.8–32.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.0% | 19.9–24.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 23.7% | 21.5–26.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.0% | 16.2–20.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.8% | 10.7–13.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.4% | 34.3–40.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 8.6–10.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 14.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 51.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 44.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 11.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 26.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 37.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 15.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 37.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $76,032 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $813,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,865 | $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 | 77.8 yr ± 0.50 | 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 0.50 years of 77.8, 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