ZIP code
92243
in El Centro, CaliforniaPopulation 49,069
42.30/ 100
Ranked #24,975 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 22%)
Ranked #1,416 of 1,719 California ZIPs (bottom 18%)
Ranked #6 of 15 El Centro, CA ZIPs (top 40%)
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.
Dry extreme heat
154.6 days/year
in the top 0.01% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$1
in the top 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS99thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
21.2%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
10.5%
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
52.9%
in the bottom 3.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST16thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS98thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
33%
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
159.8 days/year
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Crowded housing
10.4%
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
24.6%
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
El Centro, California (ZIP 92243), by its composite score, sits in the bottom 22% nationally (24,975th) and the bottom 18% of California (1,416th).
The measures that define this area's challenges come through directly: modeled extreme heat settles in the top 0.01% nationally, and expected annual loss sits in the top 0.7% nationally. Modeled uninsured lies in the top 3.8% nationally, and vision disability rests in the top 3.9% nationally. Modeled colon screening resides in the bottom 3.4% nationally, disaster risk is in the top 2.3% nationally, and fair or poor health lands in the top 4.3% nationally. Modeled humid heat stands in the top 2.7% nationally, crowded housing registers in the top 4.3% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity settles in the top 4.4% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 92249, 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 El Centro, 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 71%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 64%
14%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 57%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 12%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 81%
14%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 50%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 36%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 13%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 10%
11%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 62%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 77%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 54%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
“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
One of our published findings lists 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 80.8 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $55,057 predicts 77.7 years — 3.1 years above.
Ranked #405 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
92231
Californiashares a border
Score 40.38
Closest healthier
92249
Californiashares a border
Score 44.57
Similar health profile
79838
Texas97% similar profile
Score 39.79
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 | 22.0% | 19.3–24.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.1% | 30.3–38.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.4–10.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.7 |
| Depression among adults | 20.4% | 17.3–23.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.8% | 13.9–17.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.9% | 31.9–40.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.0% | 28.0–42.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.0% | 13.1–19.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 21.2% | 18.7–23.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 71.6% | 68.4–74.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 70.1% | 65.8–74.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.2% | 80.1–84.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 52.9% | 47.3–58.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 50.0% | 46.2–53.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 70.7% | 62.0–78.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.2% | 12.5–18.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.9% | 11.2–14.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 35.7% | 31.1–40.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.8% | 34.1–47.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 33.0% | 29.9–36.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.0% | 16.1–20.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.6% | 15.8–19.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.5% | 17.5–21.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.4% | 35.1–44.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.3% | 10.2–12.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.1% | 18.0–22.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.5% | 6.0–7.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.6–11.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 30.2% | 26.3–34.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 31.1% | 27.7–34.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 28.9% | 25.8–32.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 24.6% | 21.9–27.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 15.4% | 13.7–17.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.8% | 32.7–43.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.3–14.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 21.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 26.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 15.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 9.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 39.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 51.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 10.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 29.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 40.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 13.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 31.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $55,057 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $317,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,054 | $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 ± 0.62 | 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 0.62 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