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ZipVitals

ZIP code

92037

in La Jolla, CaliforniaPopulation 40,717

68.77/ 100

Ranked #814 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 2.6%)

Ranked #123 of 1,719 California ZIPs (top 7.2%)

Ranked #11 of 106 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ZIPs (top 10.4%)

Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.

Broad coverage across health domains

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.

Obesity

21.3%

in the bottom 1.5% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST10th
US1st
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.

Full methodology ›

Physician access

4.2 per 1,000 residents

in the top 1.9% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST97th
US98th
Definition & source ›

The number of physicians’ 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 ›

Median household income

$147,230

in the top 4.2% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST86th
US96th
Definition & source ›

The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.

Full methodology ›

Dental provider access

1.6 per 1,000 residents

in the top 2.1% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST95th
US98th
Definition & 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 ›

Recreation access

1.6 per 1,000 residents

in the top 2.9% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST95th
US97th
Definition & source ›

The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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 ›

Civic-institution access

1 per 1,000 residents

in the top 3.8% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST92nd
US96th
Definition & source ›

The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›

Utility shut-off threat

4.0%

in the bottom 3.8% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST10th
US4th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.

Full methodology ›

Slow internet speeds

2.9%

in the top 4.0% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST93rd
US96th
Definition & source ›

The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.

Full methodology ›

Lead in tap water

0 ppb

at the national minimum

Lower is healthier

US1st
Definition & source ›

The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.

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 ›

Energy-cost burden

1.3%

in the bottom 2.6% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST13th
US3rd
Definition & 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 ›

The read

On balance, and by the composite measure, La Jolla, California (ZIP 92037) ranks in the top 2.6% healthiest ZIPs nationally (814th) and the top 7.2% of California (123rd), based on limited data; treat as directional.

continue reading

Neither strongly one way nor the other, the measures sit mixed: modeled obesity resides in the bottom 1.5% nationally, and physicians lands in the top 1.9% nationally. Household income registers in the top 4.2% nationally, and dental providers sits in the top 2.1% nationally. Recreation rests in the top 2.9% nationally, civic is in the top 3.8% nationally, and modeled utility shutoff stands in the bottom 3.8% nationally. Lead in tap water settles at the national minimum, and modeled energy burden lies in the bottom 2.6% nationally. Against that, slow internet speeds resides in the top 4.0% nationally.

Compared with the ZIPs it borders, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 92014, 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.

Compare within

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 93%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 95%

16%

Preventive Care

healthier than 78%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 97%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 82%

8%

Disability

healthier than 91%

7%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 74%

5%

About typical

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 56%

14%

Nothing measured is holding this score back.

Not placed: Climate / Disaster Risk — too little of each is measured here to compare reliably. They still count toward the score (together 5% of it); we just will not publish a standing we cannot stand behind.

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 80%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 92%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 76%

14%

Preventive Care

healthier than 89%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 95%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 81%

8%

Disability

healthier than 87%

7%

About typical

Healthcare Access

healthier than 52%

5%

Nothing measured is holding this score back.

Not placed: Climate / Disaster Risk — too little of each is measured here to compare reliably. They still count toward the score (together 5% of it); we just will not publish a standing we cannot stand behind.

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 65%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 90%

16%

Preventive Care

healthier than 92%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 97%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 84%

8%

Disability

healthier than 71%

7%

About typical

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 47%

14%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 49%

5%

Nothing measured is holding this score back.

Not placed: Climate / Disaster Risk — too little of each is measured here to compare reliably. They still count toward the score (together 5% of it); we just will not publish a standing we cannot stand behind.

“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.

  • Above what income predicts

    The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes

    Estimated life expectancy is 84.7 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $147,230 predicts 81.6 years — 3.1 years above.

    Ranked #387 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 84.7 ± 1.1 years. The 41 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 81.5 years — 3.2 years above them.

    Ranked #695 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.

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
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Arthritis among adults22.2%20.3–24.3
High blood pressure among adults29.4%27.2–32.0
Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults10.1%9.3–11.0
Current asthma among adults8.8%7.9–9.8
Coronary heart disease among adults5.5%5.0–6.0
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults4.2%3.7–4.7
Depression among adults21.0%18.9–23.5
Diagnosed diabetes among adults8.3%7.4–9.4
High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened35.2%32.6–38.1
Obesity among adults21.3%18.7–24.5
Stroke among adults2.7%2.5–3.0
All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years4.8%3.9–5.8
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years4.4%3.9–5.1
Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure72.1%69.5–74.9
Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults76.1%73.6–78.6
Cholesterol screening among adults87.9%86.6–89.2
Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years70.3%66.7–73.6
Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults72.9%70.5–75.2
Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years80.6%75.3–85.0
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Binge drinking among adults15.7%13.8–18.0
Current cigarette smoking among adults6.8%5.9–7.9
No leisure-time physical activity among adults15.4%13.6–17.6
Short sleep duration among adults29.7%26.5–32.8
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults13.8%12.4–15.4
Frequent mental distress among adults14.2%12.9–15.7
Frequent physical distress among adults10.1%9.1–11.2
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Cognitive disability among adults10.9%9.8–12.1
Any disability among adults24.0%21.8–26.5
Hearing disability among adults6.0%5.4–6.7
Independent living disability among adults6.1%5.5–6.7
Mobility disability among adults10.0%9.0–11.3
Self-care disability among adults2.4%2.2–2.7
Vision disability among adults3.5%3.2–3.8
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Lack of social and emotional support among adults23.2%20.7–25.8
Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults8.8%7.7–10.2
Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults8.1%7.1–9.4
Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults7.7%6.7–8.8
Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults5.7%5.1–6.5
Loneliness among adults32.9%29.7–36.2
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults4.0%3.5–4.6
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)CA median (p10–p90)
Poverty rate8.3%10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,36410.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714
Uninsured 18–643.5%9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,2867.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704
No HS diploma (25+)1.5%7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,5059.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729
Bachelor's or higher (25+)76.8%23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,50531.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729
Unemployment rate (16+)6.1%3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,2746.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714
Households without a vehicle5.3%3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,3224.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708
Broadband subscription95.7%89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,32293.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708
Housing cost burden (≥30% income)44.0%23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,32238.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708
Homeownership rate61.5%78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,32264.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708
Crowded housing (>1 per room)2.2%1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,3224.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708
Foreign-born population21.0%2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,55318.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730
Single-parent households63.6%53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,08748.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692
Population 65+24.8%19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,55317.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730
Median age43.7 yr42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,29240.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712
Median household income$147,230$72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318$93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584
Median home value$1,958,700$222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049$659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593
Median gross rent$2,854$1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670$1,912 ($1,113–$2,923) n=1,461
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)CA median (p10–p90)
Life expectancy at birth84.7 yr ± 0.5878.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,30880.5 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 84.7, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.

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