ZIP code
95356
in Modesto, CaliforniaPopulation 33,233
50.73/ 100
Ranked #15,232 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 48%)
Ranked #1,021 of 1,719 California ZIPs (bottom 41%)
Ranked #5 of 26 Modesto, 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.
Nitrate in drinking water
94%
in the top 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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
3.1%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS98thDefinition & 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
91.8 days/year
in the top 2.4% 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
75.5%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
40 per million
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Loud transportation noise
2.2%
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST64thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
0.97 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
91%
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST65thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›PFOS in drinking water
91%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
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 ›The read
In overall standing, ZIP 95356, one of several in Modesto, California comes out in the top 48% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,232nd) and the bottom 41% of California (1,021st).
The measures fall on both sides of the ledger for this area: dental providers lies in the top 7.2% nationally. Set against that, modeled nitrate sits in the top 0.2% nationally, fine-particle settles in the top 2.2% nationally, and extreme heat registers in the top 2.4% nationally. Modeled pfas stands in the top 3.0% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk lands in the top 4.5% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise is in the top 6.6% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water resides in the top 8.3% nationally. Modeled disaster risk rests in the top 8.5% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water lies in the top 8.5% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, 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. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 95366, 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 Modesto, 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 75%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 61%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 62%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 60%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 38%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 16%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 96%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 92%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 92%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 92%
8%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 36%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 1.8 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 74.6 — 73 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,638 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 40.0 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 79.1 ± 1.5 years.
Ranked #504 of the 4,173 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by modeled air-toxics risk, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
95320
Californiashares a border
Score 49.55
Closest healthier
95366
Californiashares a border
Score 54.35
Similar health profile
77505
Texas96% similar profile
Score 50.76
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 | 25.1% | 22.3–28.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.3% | 29.7–37.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.8–7.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.8 |
| Depression among adults | 20.5% | 17.5–23.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.6% | 10.1–13.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.3% | 32.4–40.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.8% | 28.0–40.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.4% | 8.5–12.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.3% | 8.0–10.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.7% | 69.5–75.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.7% | 69.9–77.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.9% | 84.3–87.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.1% | 56.2–65.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.7% | 58.2–65.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.1% | 70.3–83.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.2% | 13.4–19.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.2% | 10.6–13.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.8% | 23.0–30.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.0% | 29.5–40.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.9% | 19.5–24.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.5% | 15.6–19.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.8–16.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.8% | 13.2–16.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.3% | 29.5–37.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.7–9.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.4% | 13.6–17.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.6% | 22.9–30.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.0% | 13.9–18.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.1% | 13.2–17.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 11.9–15.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.0% | 7.9–10.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.6% | 28.8–38.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.4–8.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 31.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.3% | 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) | 31.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 67.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 17.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 45.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 17.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 37.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $96,886 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $532,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,877 | $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 ± 0.75 | 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 0.75 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