Data Sources
NeighborScore combines publicly accessible government and research-provider data. The optional agent-matching form collects the contact details a user submits; scoring does not use that information.
Zillow Research (ZHVI/ZORI)
Used for: Typical home values and rental estimates · Updated: Monthly
Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) tracks typical home values. Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) tracks market-rate rents. Both are publicly available CSV files.
Official Source →FBI Crime Data Explorer
Used for: Reported-crime counts by category · Updated: Annual (supplemented by city open data monthly)
Annual FBI UCR/CDE agency and county reporting is supplemented by selected city open-data APIs. Each city incident is assigned at most once to a Census 2020 ZCTA polygon. Reporting coverage, geographic precision, and offense definitions vary by source and year.
Official Source →U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb (2020 ZCTAs)
Used for: Approximate ZIP-area assignment for city incident coordinates · Updated: 2020 Census vintage
ZCTAs are generalized statistical representations of USPS ZIP Code service areas, not official postal boundaries. Not every valid ZIP Code has a corresponding ZCTA; incidents outside a covered ZCTA are excluded rather than guessed into a ZIP.
Official Source →NCES Common Core of Data (CCD)
Used for: School enrollment, grades served, and directory information · Updated: Annual
The CCD provides universe-level directory data for public elementary and secondary schools and districts in the United States. It covers enrollment by grade, demographics, and operational status — but does not include assessment or proficiency data.
Official Source →U.S. Department of Education EDFacts
Used for: Student assessment proficiency (math and reading) · Updated: Annual
NeighborScore uses SY 2021–22 school-level math and reading assessment results published through Ed Data Express and retrieved from the Education Data Center archive. These are historical, state-defined results—not a current or cross-state-comparable measure of school performance. Consult current state report cards before making decisions.
Official Source →US Census Bureau ACS
Used for: Population, median income, homeownership rates · Updated: Annual (5-year estimates)
The American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates provide reliable demographic data at the ZIP code tabulation area (ZCTA) level.
Official Source →Score Methodology
The overall NeighborScore is a weighted composite: Crime Score (53%) + School Score (47%). Affordability is context only. Crime uses the best available local, agency, county, or state-remainder tier. School scoring combines reported proficiency (65%) and grade-band coverage (35%), with nearby or county fallbacks where coverage is sparse. Source refresh schedules vary.