ZIP code
92240
in Desert Hot Springs, CaliforniaPopulation 41,615
41.68/ 100
Ranked #25,498 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 20%)
Ranked #1,448 of 1,719 California ZIPs (bottom 16%)
Ranked #123 of 153 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ZIPs (bottom 20%)
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.
Outer-floodplain exposure
34.1%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Dry extreme heat
95.2 days/year
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
774 units
in the top 2.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
48.9%
in the top 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
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 ›Housing insecurity
24.1%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
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 ›Colon-cancer screening
55.7%
in the bottom 5.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST24thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
30.5%
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, ZIP 92240, one of several in Desert Hot Springs, California lands in the bottom 20% nationally (25,498th) and the bottom 16% of California (1,448th).
Where this area bears down hardest, the measures speak first: outer-floodplain exposure is in the top 1.2% nationally, and modeled extreme heat stands in the top 1.8% nationally. Housing-cost burden settles in the top 3.5% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity lies in the top 4.7% nationally. Modeled tree cover resides at the national minimum, colon screening lands in the bottom 5.7% nationally, and fair or poor health registers in the top 7.5% nationally. On the encouraging side, subsidized affordable housing sits in the top 2.3% nationally, lead in tap water rests at the national minimum, and modeled industrial-pollution burden is in the bottom 4.9% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of 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. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 92241, 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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, 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 63%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 98%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 66%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 28%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 26%
8%
Disability
healthier than 18%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 98%
14%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 29%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Disability
healthier than 17%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 95%
14%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 23%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 2%
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 ›
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 74.8 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $54,023 predicts 77.6 years — 2.8 years below.
Ranked #3,867 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 74.8 ± 1.3 years. The 45 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.4 years — 3.5 years below them.
Ranked #2,739 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
92241
Californiashares a border
Score 41.75
Closest healthier
92262
Californiashares a border
Score 52.32
Similar health profile
76309
Texas97% similar profile
Score 44.77
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 | 24.7% | 22.6–27.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.8% | 32.1–37.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.9% | 5.4–6.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 9.1–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.4 |
| Depression among adults | 23.4% | 20.8–26.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.0% | 12.5–15.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.7% | 33.9–39.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.1% | 36.9–45.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.2% | 13.4–19.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 17.4% | 15.3–19.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 69.5% | 66.6–72.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 70.4% | 67.2–73.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.1% | 80.2–83.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 55.7% | 51.3–60.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 53.9% | 50.7–57.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.3% | 69.9–81.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.1% | 12.1–16.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.7% | 13.0–16.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.8% | 29.5–36.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.8% | 36.6–45.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 30.5% | 27.9–33.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.5% | 17.7–21.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.3% | 15.7–19.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.6% | 17.8–21.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 40.0% | 36.7–43.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.4% | 10.3–12.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.0% | 17.3–21.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.2–6.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.8–9.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.6% | 26.4–32.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 29.2% | 26.2–32.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 26.5% | 23.7–29.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 24.1% | 21.6–26.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 14.3% | 12.8–16.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 38.2% | 34.6–42.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 11.0–14.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 23.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 48.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 56.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 8.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 28.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 37.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 13.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 35.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $54,023 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $333,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,462 | $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 | 74.8 yr ± 0.68 | 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 0.68 years of 74.8, 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