ZIP code
31906
in Columbus, GeorgiaPopulation 20,400
41.27/ 100
Ranked #25,826 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 19%)
Ranked #533 of 711 Georgia ZIPs (bottom 25%)
Ranked #22 of 36 Columbus, GA-AL ZIPs (bottom 39%)
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.
Short sleep
46.2%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
40 per million
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were 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 ›Households without a vehicle
18.6%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
16.3%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
6.8%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
39.1%
in the top 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
22.2%
in the top 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 31906, one of several in Columbus, Georgia ranks in the bottom 19% nationally (25,826th) and the bottom 25% of Georgia (533rd).
Several readings make the pressure on this area plain: modeled short sleep registers in the top 1.9% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water lies at the national maximum. PFOS in drinking water is at the national maximum, and modeled air-toxics cancer risk registers in the top 4.5% nationally. PFAS in drinking water lies at the national maximum, households without a vehicle is in the top 5.1% nationally, and modeled utility shutoff registers in the top 5.3% nationally. Modeled self-care disability lies in the top 6.8% nationally, loneliness is in the top 5.9% nationally, and housing insecurity registers in the top 6.3% nationally.
Against its neighbors, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. PFOS in drinking water is a common one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 31904, 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. Compare it against the US, this state and the Columbus, GA-AL metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 43%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 21%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 34%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Disability
healthier than 17%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 63%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 50%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 28%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 9%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 16%
11%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 97%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 49%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 43%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 43%
8%
Disability
healthier than 46%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 17%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
“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
2 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 75.3 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $44,965 predicts 76.9 years — 1.7 years below.
Ranked #2,082 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, 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 75.3 ± 1.5 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
31901
Georgiashares a border
Score 39.67
Closest healthier
31904
Georgiashares a border
Score 47.01
Similar health profile
62203
Illinois98% similar profile
Score 33.42
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 | 29.1% | 26.6–32.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 45.7% | 42.6–49.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.4% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.7% | 10.6–13.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.8–8.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.7–9.6 |
| Depression among adults | 19.1% | 16.8–22.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 18.4% | 16.6–20.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.2% | 34.1–41.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.3% | 38.4–50.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.3% | 5.0–5.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 24.4% | 21.1–28.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.0% | 13.1–17.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.5% | 79.6–84.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.0% | 78.5–84.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.6% | 85.1–88.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.9% | 60.5–69.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 51.3% | 48.1–54.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.7% | 71.4–83.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.3% | 10.4–15.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.9% | 14.9–19.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 33.3% | 29.7–38.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 46.2% | 41.3–51.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 27.9% | 25.3–31.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.1% | 17.3–21.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.7% | 14.1–17.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.8% | 15.2–18.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.7% | 32.3–40.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.8–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.1% | 11.1–13.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.5% | 17.6–22.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.2–7.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.8% | 8.1–9.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.5% | 25.0–32.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 28.2% | 25.2–31.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 27.0% | 24.2–29.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.2% | 19.8–24.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 14.9% | 13.3–16.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 39.1% | 34.5–43.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 16.3% | 14.5–18.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | GA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 25.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.6–27.5%) n=709 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 17.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 18.3% (8.4–29.7%) n=713 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.1% (3.9–22.9%) n=720 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 33.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.3% (9.1–49.2%) n=720 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.1% (0.6–9.6%) n=714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 18.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.4% (0.3–12.3%) n=707 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.5–96.4%) n=707 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (13.6–38.3%) n=707 |
| Homeownership rate | 47.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 73.7% (48.8–89.0%) n=707 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–5.0%) n=707 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 3.8% (0.0–15.8%) n=720 |
| Single-parent households | 32.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.8% (36.1–66.7%) n=705 |
| Population 65+ | 15.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (10.0–28.3%) n=720 |
| Median age | 38.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.8 yr (33.1–51.4) n=715 |
| Median household income | $44,965 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,254 ($44,032–$106,158) n=677 |
| Median home value | $179,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,200 ($91,000–$413,150) n=666 |
| Median gross rent | $923 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $993 ($694–$1,769) n=627 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | GA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 75.3 yr ± 0.75 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 76.1 yr (73.3–79.7) n=668 |
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 0.75 years of 75.3, 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