ZIP code
96150
in South Lake Tahoe, CaliforniaPopulation 29,646
55.97/ 100
Ranked #8,317 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 26%)
Ranked #724 of 1,719 California ZIPs (top 42%)
Ranked #46 of 122 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA ZIPs (top 38%)
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
7.8%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Park land
84%
in the top 0.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
80.8%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
97.9%
in the top 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›PFOS in drinking water
97.9%
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
11 days/year
in the bottom 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
264 units
in the top 9.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST77thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
18.9%
in the top 11.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS88thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
33.1%
in the bottom 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Radon
2.7 pCi/L
in the top 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS83rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, ZIP 96150, one of several in South Lake Tahoe, California ranks in the top 26% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,317th) and the top 42% of California (724th).
The signals balance out across the profile, strengths against concerns: park land stands in the top 0.5% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lies at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled humid heat lands in the bottom 8.1% nationally, subsidized affordable housing sits in the top 9.4% nationally, and civic is in the top 10.5% nationally. Distance to a community health center settles at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Set against that, modeled fine-particle resides in the top 0.3% nationally, modeled pfas registers in the top 1.8% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water rests in the top 4.9% nationally. PFOS in drinking water stands in the top 5.2% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, 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. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Close by, ZIP 89449, just across the boundary, ranks healthier 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 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, 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 87%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Disability
healthier than 71%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 95%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 64%
16%
Disability
healthier than 66%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 41%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 75%
21%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 93%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 43%
14%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 40%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
“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 8.2 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 86.9 — 79 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,096 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
89449
Nevadashares a border
Score 62.69
Closest healthier
95720
Californiashares a border
Score 57.30
Similar health profile
55421
Minnesota97% similar profile
Score 53.15
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 | 22.7% | 19.9–25.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.7% | 26.0–33.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.8% | 7.0–8.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.5% | 4.9–6.2 |
| Depression among adults | 23.3% | 19.9–27.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.0% | 8.7–11.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.1% | 29.0–37.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 29.2% | 22.8–36.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.7% | 7.9–11.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.0% | 6.9–9.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.2% | 66.6–73.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.5% | 67.4–75.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.8% | 84.1–87.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.3% | 59.4–69.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.4% | 61.0–67.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.0% | 66.2–81.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.9% | 15.7–22.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.7% | 10.0–13.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.3% | 17.0–24.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.7% | 28.9–41.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.2% | 16.9–21.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.2% | 15.2–19.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.3% | 11.8–14.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.3% | 12.7–16.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.4% | 25.6–33.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.1–14.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.6% | 20.1–27.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.0% | 12.1–16.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.1–14.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.2% | 10.5–13.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.9% | 6.9–8.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.2% | 28.1–38.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.6–7.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.6% (4.1–24.9%) n=1,714 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.7% (1.7–17.9%) n=1,704 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.8% (1.4–30.9%) n=1,729 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 40.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.3% (9.9–68.2%) n=1,729 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 6.1% (0.8–12.0%) n=1,714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.2% | 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) | 36.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 38.6% (24.4–50.5%) n=1,708 |
| Homeownership rate | 61.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 64.1% (31.9–86.4%) n=1,708 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.9%) n=1,708 |
| Foreign-born population | 16.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (3.0–40.4%) n=1,730 |
| Single-parent households | 53.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.4% (35.1–72.3%) n=1,692 |
| Population 65+ | 19.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (9.7–35.7%) n=1,730 |
| Median age | 42.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.1 yr (31.8–57.0) n=1,712 |
| Median household income | $92,517 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $93,448 ($54,188–$159,562) n=1,584 |
| Median home value | $707,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $659,800 ($300,520–$1,493,340) n=1,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,667 | $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 | 78.9 yr ± 0.58 | 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 0.58 years of 78.9, 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