The Child Opportunity Index 3.0-2023 ZIP code data is available for download on this page.
To distinguish between different releases, each COI 3.0 release is labeled with the most recent year included. The initial release of COI 3.0 (published in 2024) included data from 2012 to 2021 and has been relabeled as COI 3.0-2021. The current release, COI 3.0-2023, extends data coverage through 2023. We recommend that all new users and new projects use COI 3.0-2023.
For more information on COI 3.0 releases, please see the COI Release Notes.
Our method for aggregating census tract data to ZIP code data uses weights published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ZIP code COI 3.0 estimates are calculated as weighted averages of COI 3.0 census tract data, where census tracts that are home to a greater proportion of addresses with a given ZIP code receive greater weight. The weights used to calculate ZIP code-level COI 3.0 estimates change over time because the USPS regularly updates ZIP codes, for example, to incorporate newly constructed buildings/addresses. COI 2.0 ZIP code estimates included data for a single time period, averaging multiple years of data. In contrast, like the census tract data files, COI 3.0 ZIP code data files include estimates for each year from 2012 to 2023.
Like the census tract and county data, all COI 3.0 ZIP code metrics are benchmarked to the 2023 opportunity distribution. For example, to construct Child Opportunity Levels, we first ordered ZIP codes in 2023 from lowest to highest in terms of their composite z-score. We then computed cut points (percentiles) that divide the ZIP codes in 2023 into five ordered groups, each containing 20% of the child population. We then applied the same cut points to data from other years. Because Child Opportunity Levels were defined in relation to the 2023 distribution of children across ZIP codes, we observe exactly 20% of children at each level in the 2023 data only. An Opportunity Level of “very high” means “very high in 2023,” or having opportunity similar to that of the top 20% of ZIP codes in 2023, although that same Level may be observed in other years as well.
There are also a limitations to aggregating census tract-level data to the ZIP code level, including averaging out some variability in neighborhood opportunity. We encourage you to compare any particular ZIP codes of interest against their component census tract Opportunity Levels in the interactive map available on our website.
Note: ZIP code-level estimates published here are computed using 2010 census tract data as inputs from 2012 to 2022 and using 2020 census tract data as inputs for 2023. This follows the census tract vintages used by the underlying crosswalks, which rely on 2010 census tract boundaries through 2022 and then switch to 2020 census tract boundaries from 2023.
Using the links below, you can download COI 3.0 ZIP code data for the overall index, its three domains and 14 subdomains, as well as child population counts by race/ethnicity.
Clicking on one of the links triggers a download of a ZIP folder including the data and data dictionary in CSV format.
By using this data, you agree to abide by diversitydatakids.org's Terms and Conditions.
COI 3.0-2023, ZIP code data
Child Opportunity Levels, Scores and composite z-scores for 14 subdomains (ZIP Codes)
Number of children aged 0-17 years by race/ethnicity (ZIP Codes)
Suggested citation: diversitydatakids.org. 2025. “Child Opportunity Index 3.0-2023 ZIP Code Data." https://www.diversitydatakids.org/research-library/child-opportunity-index-30-2023-zip-code-data.
Additional Info
Version: COI 3.0-2023
Last updated: July 2025
Year(s): Data available from 2012 to 2023.
Source: The 44 indicators included in the COI are compiled from many sources. Please refer to the technical document for details.
Use Cases: To learn how the COI has been used by organizations and researchers, please see our impact stories.
