ZIP code
33859
in Lake Wales, FloridaPopulation 11,824
41.60/ 100
Ranked #25,569 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 20%)
Ranked #839 of 974 Florida ZIPs (bottom 13.9%)
Ranked #27 of 38 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ZIPs (bottom 29%)
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.
Humid extreme heat
206 days/year
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Coronary heart disease
11.3%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
46.6%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
18.9%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
11.7%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
43.1 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
35.2%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST55thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Stroke
5.5%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
4.0%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
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 ›Mobility disability
22%
in the top 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
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
In overall standing, ZIP 33859, one of several in Lake Wales, Florida comes out in the bottom 20% nationally (25,569th) and the bottom 13.9% of Florida (839th).
The data points to real strain across a number of measures here: modeled humid heat rests in the top 0.3% nationally, coronary heart disease lies in the top 3.3% nationally, and high cholesterol sits in the top 1.9% nationally. Modeled uninsured settles in the top 5.5% nationally, modeled hearing disability registers in the top 5.6% nationally, and fatal road crashes stands in the top 5.8% nationally. Floodplain exposure lands in the top 7.8% nationally, and modeled stroke is in the top 7.8% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure resides in the top 8.8% nationally, and modeled mobility disability rests in the top 9.6% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, 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". Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 33827, 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 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
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 62%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 70%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 50%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 44%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 8%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 37%
13%
Disability
healthier than 14%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 51%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 60%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 8%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 25%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 37%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 35%
8%
Disability
healthier than 13%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 28%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 81%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 73%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 68%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 57%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 14%
21%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
“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.
Clean environment, heavy chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 62.6; chronic-disease standing 8.1 (bottom 10%) — 55 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #2,145 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
33827
Floridashares a border
Score 46.20
Closest healthier
33830
Floridashares a border
Score 42.55
Similar health profile
32102
Florida99% similar profile
Score 40.18
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 | 36.5% | 33.4–39.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 43.8% | 40.3–47.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 12.7% | 11.7–13.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 9.1–11.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 11.3% | 10.3–12.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 11.7% | 10.4–13.0 |
| Depression among adults | 19.6% | 17.0–22.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.7% | 14.8–18.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 46.6% | 42.9–50.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.6% | 34.4–45.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.5% | 5.1–6.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.4% | 13.7–19.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 18.9% | 16.8–21.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 83.7% | 81.5–85.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.8% | 78.1–83.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.2% | 85.7–88.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.8% | 63.4–72.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 54.1% | 50.8–57.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.4% | 65.2–79.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.4% | 10.4–14.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.5% | 13.6–17.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.6% | 27.7–35.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.5% | 34.9–44.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.3% | 23.6–29.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.0% | 15.2–18.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.7% | 16.8–20.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.9% | 14.3–17.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 41.9% | 38.0–45.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.5–12.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.6–11.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 22.0% | 19.7–24.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.7% | 7.1–8.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | FL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 23.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 11.4% (5.3–23.2%) n=972 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 19.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 15.9% (7.1–27.2%) n=968 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.7% (2.9–20.6%) n=977 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 25.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 29.1% (12.7–56.0%) n=977 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.8–7.7%) n=968 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.3% (1.2–11.0%) n=972 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.9% (83.2–96.9%) n=972 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 33.2% (20.1–47.6%) n=972 |
| Homeownership rate | 71.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 74.9% (47.3–90.5%) n=972 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.2% (0.2–6.7%) n=972 |
| Foreign-born population | 9.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 11.5% (2.3–39.9%) n=977 |
| Single-parent households | 66.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.8% (38.7–75.3%) n=968 |
| Population 65+ | 32.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (11.9–40.6%) n=977 |
| Median age | 47.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.0 yr (35.1–59.8) n=972 |
| Median household income | $57,760 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $72,857 ($48,246–$112,420) n=946 |
| Median home value | $215,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $334,600 ($168,120–$631,410) n=932 |
| Median gross rent | $1,288 | $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 | 77.1 yr ± 0.78 | 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 0.78 years of 77.1, 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