ZIP code
33849
in Kathleen, FloridaPopulation 851
44.65/ 100
Ranked #22,756 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 29%)
Ranked #755 of 974 Florida ZIPs (bottom 22%)
Ranked #14 of 38 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ZIPs (top 37%)
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.
Arsenic in groundwater
0.76%
in the bottom 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms 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 ›Humid extreme heat
204.6 days/year
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
1.3 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 3.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS4thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Recreation access
1.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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 ›Floodplain exposure
39.3%
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST62ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
93.3%
in the top 11.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
9.0%
in the top 12.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
93.2%
in the top 12.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
3.8%
in the bottom 12.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Mammography
70.2%
in the bottom 14.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS15thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both humid-heat days and flood exposure.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
By the composite measure, Kathleen, Florida (ZIP 33849) sits in the bottom 29% nationally (22,756th) and the bottom 22% of Florida (755th).
Where this area is stretched, the data is unambiguous: modeled humid heat registers in the top 0.3% nationally, walkability lands in the bottom 3.7% nationally, and floodplain exposure resides in the top 6.5% nationally. Modeled short sleep lies in the top 11.2% nationally, and unemployment settles in the top 12.2% nationally. Better still, modeled arsenic stands in the bottom 0.2% nationally, and recreation is in the top 4.1% nationally. Homeownership rests in the top 11.2% nationally, and fiber broadband sits in the top 12.4% nationally. Poverty registers in the bottom 12.9% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". ZIP 33525, 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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 71%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 75%
14%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 39%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 16%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Disability
healthier than 36%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 35%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 59%
14%
Disability
healthier than 41%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 16%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 10%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 89%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 76%
14%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 41%
11%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 35%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 14%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
33525
Floridashares a border
Score 46.35
Closest healthier
33540
Floridashares a border
Score 46.84
Similar health profile
34610
Florida99% similar profile
Score 45.95
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 | 30.0% | 27.1–32.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.4% | 33.1–39.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.6% | 8.7–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.0% | 7.0–9.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.5% | 8.0–11.1 |
| Depression among adults | 21.3% | 18.4–24.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.8% | 11.2–14.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.4% | 39.0–45.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.8% | 32.8–42.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.5–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.9% | 11.6–16.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.1% | 12.3–18.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.5% | 75.9–80.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.5% | 73.4–79.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.1% | 83.0–87.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.9% | 57.7–66.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 52.7% | 49.5–56.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 70.2% | 62.8–77.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.4% | 13.9–18.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.2% | 14.1–20.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.9% | 22.7–31.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.4% | 36.9–46.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.6% | 19.1–26.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.6% | 16.4–20.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.1% | 14.8–19.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.4% | 14.0–19.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.4% | 31.6–41.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.2% | 7.8–10.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.9% | 14.4–19.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.5% | 3.8–5.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.1–6.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | FL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 11.4% (5.3–23.2%) n=972 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 15.9% (7.1–27.2%) n=968 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 24.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.7% (2.9–20.6%) n=977 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 11.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 29.1% (12.7–56.0%) n=977 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 9.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.8–7.7%) n=968 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.3% (1.2–11.0%) n=972 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.9% (83.2–96.9%) n=972 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 33.2% (20.1–47.6%) n=972 |
| Homeownership rate | 93.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 74.9% (47.3–90.5%) n=972 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.2% (0.2–6.7%) n=972 |
| Foreign-born population | 5.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 11.5% (2.3–39.9%) n=977 |
| Single-parent households | 73.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.8% (38.7–75.3%) n=968 |
| Population 65+ | 13.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (11.9–40.6%) n=977 |
| Median age | 41.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.0 yr (35.1–59.8) n=972 |
| Median household income | — | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $72,857 ($48,246–$112,420) n=946 |
| Median home value | $394,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $334,600 ($168,120–$631,410) n=932 |
| Median gross rent | — | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,604 ($968–$2,218) n=901 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | FL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 83.2 yr ± 1.89 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 78.2 yr (74.6–82.2) n=894 |
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 1.89 years of 83.2, 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