ZIP code
92251
in Imperial, CaliforniaPopulation 27,454
47.03/ 100
Ranked #20,123 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 37%)
Ranked #1,225 of 1,719 California ZIPs (bottom 29%)
Ranked #1 of 15 El Centro, CA ZIPs (top 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.
Dry extreme heat
154.9 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
52.2%
in the bottom 3.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST14thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
159.1 days/year
in the top 2.8% 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 ›Uninsured (under 65)
19.6%
in the top 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
11.8%
in the top 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
23.9%
in the top 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 7.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
31.4%
in the bottom 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›The read
Imperial, California (ZIP 92251), on the composite measure, lands in the bottom 37% nationally (20,123rd) and the bottom 29% of California (1,225th).
The main burdens in the data show plainly and lead the picture: modeled extreme heat lies in the top 0.01% nationally, modeled colon screening settles in the bottom 3.0% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site stands at the national minimum. Modeled humid heat is in the top 2.8% nationally, modeled uninsured rests in the top 4.9% nationally, and crowded housing sits in the top 3.5% nationally. Modeled tree cover registers at the national minimum, and housing insecurity lands in the top 4.9% nationally. More positively, modeled industrial-pollution burden resides in the bottom 7.1% nationally, and high cholesterol lies in the bottom 5.3% nationally.
In everyday language, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 92004, 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 93%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 60%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 13%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 2%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Disability
healthier than 36%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 12%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 78%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 78%
14%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 50%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 19%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 6%
11%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
in the top 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 62%
8%
Disability
in the top 0.00%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 54%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
“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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
92004
Californiashares a border
Score 56.17
Closest healthier
92036
Californiaabout 9.9 mi away
Score 60.62
Similar health profile
95363
California99% similar profile
Score 48.70
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 | 17.1% | 14.9–19.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.4% | 25.8–33.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.1% | 8.0–10.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.5% | 4.0–5.0 |
| Depression among adults | 20.0% | 16.9–23.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.7% | 10.2–13.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 31.4% | 27.7–35.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.2% | 27.1–41.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.7% | 10.3–15.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 19.6% | 16.8–22.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 63.7% | 59.9–67.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 66.7% | 62.2–70.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 80.3% | 77.7–82.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 52.2% | 46.8–57.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 53.1% | 49.4–56.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.4% | 63.9–79.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.2% | 15.0–21.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.2% | 11.2–15.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.5% | 26.0–35.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 42.0% | 35.2–48.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 28.0% | 24.6–31.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.3% | 16.2–20.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.9% | 13.1–16.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.5% | 16.4–20.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.3% | 29.9–39.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.5% | 12.6–16.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.8% | 7.0–8.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 31.8% | 27.6–36.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 27.6% | 24.1–31.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 25.0% | 21.9–28.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 23.9% | 21.0–27.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 14.3% | 12.5–16.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 38.3% | 33.0–43.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 10.8–14.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 21.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 70.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 11.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 22.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 42.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 10.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 33.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $90,709 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $368,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,242 | $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 | 79.0 yr ± 0.81 | 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 0.81 years of 79.0, 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