ZIP code
92117
in San Diego, CaliforniaPopulation 52,275
61.73/ 100
Ranked #3,681 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 11.5%)
Ranked #425 of 1,719 California ZIPs (top 25%)
Ranked #44 of 106 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ZIPs (top 42%)
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.
Obesity
24.4%
in the bottom 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST24thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
3.1%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Lead in tap water
0 ppb
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
US1stDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
13.9%
in the top 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
1.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
8.8 days/year
in the bottom 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST14thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
1.5%
in the bottom 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST21stUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Park land
13.6%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST74thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
28.7%
in the bottom 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST22ndUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST22ndUS9thDefinition & 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
In overall standing, ZIP 92117, one of several in San Diego, California comes out in the top 11.5% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,681st) and the top 25% of California (425th).
Several readings land clearly in this area's favor and shape the picture: modeled obesity resides in the bottom 4.7% nationally, lead in tap water rests at the national minimum, and dental providers lies in the top 5.4% nationally. Modeled humid heat sits in the bottom 5.9% nationally, modeled energy burden settles in the bottom 4.8% nationally, and park land registers in the top 9.5% nationally. Modeled high blood pressure stands in the bottom 7.5% nationally, and walkability lands in the top 10.8% nationally. Set against that, modeled loud transportation noise is in the top 3.6% nationally, and transportation noise resides in the top 5.0% nationally.
In plain 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. 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. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 92109, 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 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 64%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 96%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 37%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 78%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 72%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Disability
healthier than 77%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 51%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 49%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 68%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 48%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
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 ›
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 81.2 ± 0.9 years. A median household income of $103,661 predicts 80.2 years — 1.0 years above.
Ranked #1,445 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 20.2; chronic-disease standing 92.6 (top 10%) — 72 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,606 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
92109
Californiashares a border
Score 67.72
Closest healthier
92122
Californiashares a border
Score 66.50
Similar health profile
94702
California99% similar profile
Score 63.19
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 | 20.7% | 18.9–22.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 28.7% | 26.5–31.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.9% | 7.3–8.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.2% | 8.3–10.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.4 |
| Depression among adults | 22.0% | 19.8–24.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.2% | 8.2–10.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.8% | 31.3–36.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 24.4% | 21.5–27.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.6% | 7.0–10.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.6% | 5.8–7.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 69.0% | 66.2–72.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.4% | 70.7–76.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.8% | 85.3–88.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.7% | 60.8–68.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.6% | 64.9–70.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.8% | 70.9–81.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.2% | 15.1–19.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.4% | 8.2–10.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.2% | 16.1–20.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.1% | 29.7–36.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.8% | 15.2–18.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.0% | 14.5–17.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.5% | 10.4–12.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.7–14.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.6% | 23.2–28.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.3% | 10.1–12.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.9–4.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.1% | 23.5–29.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.1% | 10.5–13.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.3% | 9.8–12.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–8.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.6% | 31.4–38.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.7–6.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 51.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 39.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 56.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 18.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 49.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 18.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 39.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $103,661 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $981,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $2,254 | $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 | 81.2 yr ± 0.48 | 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 0.48 years of 81.2, 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