ZIP code
95521
in Arcata, CaliforniaPopulation 21,980
49.66/ 100
Ranked #16,706 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 48%)
Ranked #1,087 of 1,719 California ZIPs (bottom 37%)
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.
Humid extreme heat
0.8 days/year
in the bottom 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
29%
in the bottom 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Lithium in drinking water
9.5 µg/L
in the bottom 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
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 ›High blood pressure
25.5%
in the bottom 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
46.2%
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
40.2%
in the bottom 5.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST16thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Civic-institution access
0.74 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Unemployment rate
11.0%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›The read
Arcata, California (ZIP 95521), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 48% nationally (16,706th) and the bottom 37% of California (1,087th).
A few readings account for most of this area's strain: modeled expected annual loss rests in the top 0.7% nationally, modeled disaster risk settles in the top 1.6% nationally, and housing-cost burden lands in the top 4.8% nationally. Homeownership rests in the bottom 5.4% nationally. On the better side, modeled humid heat settles in the bottom 0.6% nationally, and high cholesterol lands in the bottom 2.6% nationally. Lithium in drinking water rests in the bottom 3.4% nationally, and modeled high blood pressure settles in the bottom 3.2% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Civic rests in the top 7.1% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, 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. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 95519, 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.
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 91%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 67%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 54%
11%
Disability
healthier than 53%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 8%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 82%
14%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 51%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 30%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 1%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
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
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 79.0 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $53,114 predicts 77.6 years — 1.4 years above.
Ranked #1,310 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
95501
Californiashares a border
Score 45.39
Closest healthier
95519
Californiashares a border
Score 53.03
Similar health profile
71999
Arkansas99% similar profile
Score 49.50
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 | 19.0% | 16.9–21.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 25.5% | 22.6–28.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.0% | 5.5–6.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 10.0–12.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.4 |
| Depression among adults | 28.2% | 24.5–32.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 29.0% | 25.9–32.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 30.0% | 24.3–36.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–2.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.5% | 10.8–16.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.1% | 6.9–9.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 65.1% | 62.4–67.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 67.7% | 63.5–71.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 78.5% | 76.1–80.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.3% | 56.0–66.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.0% | 55.1–62.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.5% | 65.3–80.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.7% | 16.5–23.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.6% | 11.0–14.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.2% | 18.1–24.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.8% | 28.6–41.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.2% | 18.0–22.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 22.2% | 20.1–24.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.0% | 11.6–14.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.7% | 16.8–20.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.1% | 28.4–36.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.0% | 9.0–11.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.3–13.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.9–5.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.5% | 21.9–29.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.3% | 15.8–21.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 18.4% | 16.1–20.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.6% | 12.6–16.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.5% | 10.1–12.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.0% | 31.9–42.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 24.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 46.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 11.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.0–12.2%) n=1,708 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 46.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 40.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 46.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 14.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 29.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $53,114 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $501,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,336 | $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 ± 0.64 | 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 0.64 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