ZIP code
96021
in Corning, CaliforniaPopulation 14,812
41.77/ 100
Ranked #25,422 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 21%)
Ranked #1,443 of 1,719 California ZIPs (bottom 16%)
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.
Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
4.2%
in the top 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Dry extreme heat
83.1 days/year
in the top 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS95thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›Nitrate in drinking water
3.6%
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
58.1%
in the bottom 9.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST34thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Pharmacy access
0.35 per 1,000 residents
in the top 10.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS89thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies 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 ›Humid extreme heat
104.1 days/year
in the top 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS80thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Corning, California (ZIP 96021), on the composite measure, lands in the bottom 21% nationally (25,422nd) and the bottom 16% of California (1,443rd).
Where this area is stretched, the data is unambiguous: modeled fine-particle sits in the top 1.4% nationally, air-toxics cancer risk registers in the top 4.5% nationally, and extreme heat lands in the top 4.6% nationally. Modeled nitrate resides in the top 4.8% nationally, disaster risk lies in the top 5.4% nationally, and colon screening settles in the bottom 9.5% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity stands in the top 11.9% nationally, and fair or poor health is in the top 13.2% nationally. Better still, pharmacy rests in the top 10.6% nationally, and modeled industrial-pollution burden sits in the bottom 11.1% nationally.
In everyday language, fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 95963, 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.
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 9%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 29%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 13%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 36%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 25%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 35%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 26%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 11%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 23%
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
3 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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 75.5 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $59,592 predicts 78.0 years — 2.6 years below.
Ranked #3,559 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 75.5 ± 1.4 years. The 50 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.9 years — 3.5 years below them.
Ranked #2,716 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, 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 75.5 ± 1.4 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
95963
Californiashares a border
Score 43.52
Closest healthier
95973
Californiashares a border
Score 54.01
Similar health profile
93656
California98% similar profile
Score 37.01
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 | 25.9% | 22.9–29.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.3% | 30.3–38.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.8% | 7.1–8.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–8.9 |
| Depression among adults | 23.4% | 20.0–27.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.3% | 11.5–15.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.6% | 31.3–40.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.3% | 25.0–40.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.8–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.9% | 13.7–20.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 14.3% | 12.3–16.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.2% | 68.8–75.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 70.7% | 66.6–74.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.5% | 81.4–85.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 58.1% | 52.4–63.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 55.3% | 51.3–59.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.6% | 63.8–80.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.6% | 12.8–18.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.3% | 13.2–17.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.5% | 25.0–34.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.2% | 29.4–43.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 27.9% | 24.8–31.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.1% | 17.1–21.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.0% | 15.2–19.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.4% | 16.4–20.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.9% | 32.5–41.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–8.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.3% | 16.2–20.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–5.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.8–8.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.4% | 23.5–31.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.6% | 19.7–25.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 21.8% | 19.2–24.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.2% | 15.9–20.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.7% | 10.4–13.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.1% | 30.7–41.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 8.4–11.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 17.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 13.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 19.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 14.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.3% | 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 | 86.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.4% (82.1–98.4%) n=1,708 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 36.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 23.5% | 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+ | 15.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 35.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $59,592 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $314,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $949 | $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 | 75.5 yr ± 0.73 | 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 0.73 years of 75.5, 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