ZIP code
93555
in Ridgecrest, CaliforniaPopulation 33,845
50.65/ 100
Ranked #15,336 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 48%)
Ranked #1,024 of 1,719 California ZIPs (bottom 40%)
Ranked #9 of 48 Bakersfield-Delano, CA ZIPs (top 19%)
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.
Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
40.1%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
3.2%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of days in the year when modeled fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution was above the EPA’s daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
91.6 days/year
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
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 ›Park land
19.8%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST80thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
5.1%
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
18%
in the top 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS81stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Ridgecrest, California (ZIP 93555) lands in the top 48% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,336th) and the bottom 40% of California (1,024th).
The signals balance out across the profile, strengths against concerns: modeled industrial-pollution burden registers in the bottom 0.5% nationally. Distance to an emergency room rests at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Park land stands in the top 7.0% nationally. Distance to a community health center lies at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Lead in tap water lands in the bottom 11.3% nationally. Set against that, modeled arsenic sits in the top 1.6% nationally, fine-particle is in the top 2.2% nationally, and extreme heat settles in the top 2.5% nationally. Modeled tree cover resides at the national minimum, and outer-floodplain exposure registers in the top 7.2% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 93527, just across the boundary, ranks better overall.
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 Bakersfield-Delano, 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 78%
21%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 52%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 56%
11%
Disability
healthier than 54%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 44%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 52%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 47%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Disability
healthier than 51%
7%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 12%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 21%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 78%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 89%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 70%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Disability
healthier than 87%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 16.8; chronic-disease standing 77.6 — 61 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,498 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
93527
Californiashares a border
Score 51.06
Closest healthier
92328
Californiaabout 14 mi away
Score 51.11
Similar health profile
73160
Oklahoma98% similar profile
Score 49.46
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 | 23.7% | 21.1–26.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.0% | 28.7–35.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.9% | 7.2–8.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.7–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.5–6.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–7.1 |
| Depression among adults | 24.7% | 21.5–28.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.8% | 9.4–12.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.7% | 30.1–37.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.0% | 27.0–37.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 3.1–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.5% | 8.5–12.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.1% | 7.0–9.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.3% | 67.0–73.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.2% | 69.5–76.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.9% | 83.2–86.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.6% | 58.9–68.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.3% | 61.1–67.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.9% | 69.2–81.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.0% | 15.1–21.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.8% | 11.2–14.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.3% | 20.2–26.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.5% | 30.8–40.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.5% | 18.3–22.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.2% | 17.2–21.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.5–15.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.9% | 14.3–17.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.3% | 28.8–35.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.8% | 8.0–9.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.5% | 12.8–16.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.2% | 4.8–5.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.9% | 22.7–29.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.4% | 13.5–17.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.6% | 13.7–17.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.3% | 11.7–15.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.5% | 30.3–38.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 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+) | 8.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 62.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 48.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 14.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 34.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $86,700 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $252,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,182 | $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 unavailable for this ZIP — fewer than 80% of the census tracts that make it up could be matched across the 2010→2020 tract-boundary revision, so no value is published rather than an unreliable one. See how coverage gaps are handled. | |||
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