ZIP code
35020
in Bessemer, AlabamaPopulation 24,892
29.57/ 100
Ranked #30,849 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 3.8%)
Ranked #585 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 5.5%)
Ranked #113 of 116 Birmingham, AL ZIPs (bottom 2.6%)
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.
Diabetes
24.1%
in the top 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
9.1%
in the top 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
11.7%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Stroke
6.9%
in the top 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
15.4%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
27.3%
in the top 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
53.9%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
34.5%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
28.9%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
40.9%
in the top 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, ZIP 35020, one of several in Bessemer, Alabama ranks in the bottom 3.8% nationally (30,849th) and the bottom 5.5% of Alabama (585th).
Several measures weigh most on this area's profile, and they come first: modeled diabetes lies in the top 0.7% nationally, and self-care disability lands in the top 1.4% nationally. Modeled vision disability sits in the top 2.4% nationally, and stroke is in the top 1.4% nationally. Modeled independent living disability settles in the top 2.2% nationally, mobility disability resides in the top 1.5% nationally, and high blood pressure registers in the top 1.1% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health rests in the top 3.0% nationally, tooth loss stands in the top 3.8% nationally, and food insecurity lies in the top 1.7% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Close by, ZIP 35022, 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 Birmingham, 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 92%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 4%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 1%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 35%
8%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 48%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 12%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 4%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 7%
11%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 29%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 41%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 5%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 4%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Disability
healthier than 3%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 7%
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 ›
Findings that name this ZIP
3 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 70.2 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $35,362 predicts 76.0 years — 5.7 years below.
Ranked #5,703 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 70.2 ± 1.3 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 74.3 years — 4.0 years below them.
Ranked #3,034 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, 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 70.2 ± 1.3 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
35022
Alabamashares a border
Score 56.04
Closest healthier
35023
Alabamashares a border
Score 44.80
Similar health profile
63147
Missouri100% similar profile
Score 27.73
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 | 33.5% | 30.7–36.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 53.9% | 50.7–57.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.1% | 5.5–6.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.4% | 10.1–12.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 11.2% | 10.1–12.4 |
| Depression among adults | 21.6% | 19.0–24.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 24.1% | 21.8–26.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.1% | 38.9–45.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 47.3% | 42.7–52.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 6.9% | 6.4–7.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 28.9% | 24.6–33.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.7% | 13.9–18.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.9% | 78.7–82.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.8% | 80.2–85.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.9% | 83.1–86.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.0% | 62.9–70.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 42.5% | 38.9–46.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.0% | 76.7–86.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 11.0% | 9.3–13.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 21.3% | 18.9–23.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 42.2% | 38.3–46.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 45.2% | 40.9–49.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 34.5% | 31.5–37.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.6% | 17.6–21.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.6% | 15.8–19.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 21.0% | 19.0–23.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 47.3% | 43.7–51.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 15.4% | 14.0–16.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 27.3% | 24.8–29.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 9.1% | 8.4–9.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.8–12.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 30.8% | 27.5–34.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 40.9% | 37.4–44.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 36.6% | 33.2–39.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 28.2% | 25.3–31.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 19.5% | 17.5–21.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 42.1% | 38.2–46.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 22.0% | 19.7–24.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 31.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 27.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 17.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 10.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 81.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 36.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 59.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 34.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 20.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 40.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $35,362 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $91,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $904 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $856 ($625–$1,266) n=503 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 70.2 yr ± 0.64 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 74.7 yr (72.1–78.3) n=599 |
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 0.64 years of 70.2, 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