ZIP code
35043
in Chelsea, AlabamaPopulation 15,837
60.17/ 100
Ranked #4,741 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 14.8%)
Ranked #24 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (top 3.9%)
Ranked #11 of 116 Birmingham, AL ZIPs (top 9.5%)
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.
Air-toxics cancer risk
40 per million
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Median household income
$121,356
in the top 9.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
5.0%
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Stroke
2.6%
in the bottom 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
96.5%
in the top 12.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
10.8%
in the bottom 13.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
2.7%
in the bottom 10.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
3.4%
in the bottom 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
15.0%
in the bottom 13.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
4.5%
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS17thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, Chelsea, Alabama (ZIP 35043) comes out in the top 14.8% healthiest ZIPs nationally (4,741st) and the top 3.9% of Alabama (24th).
Several good marks anchor the profile and deserve first mention: household income rests in the top 9.2% nationally, modeled coronary heart disease lies in the bottom 9.7% nationally, and modeled stroke sits in the bottom 8.3% nationally. Home broadband subscription settles in the top 12.2% nationally, grocery registers in the top 12.4% nationally, and modeled tree cover stands in the top 12.8% nationally. Housing-cost burden lands in the bottom 14.3% nationally, and modeled mobility disability is in the bottom 13.0% nationally. Modeled self-care disability resides in the bottom 10.1% nationally. By contrast, modeled air-toxics cancer risk rests in the top 4.5% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 35124, 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 Birmingham, AL metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 89%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 65%
8%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 44%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 95%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 96%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 92%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 96%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 72%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 40%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 93%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 70%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 87%
8%
Disability
healthier than 91%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 58%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 32%
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 78.2 ± 1.6 years. A median household income of $121,356 predicts 80.8 years — 2.6 years below.
Ranked #3,582 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 78.2 ± 1.6 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 75.4 years — 2.9 years above them.
Ranked #914 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 78.2 ± 1.6 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
35051
Alabamashares a border
Score 51.54
Closest healthier
35124
Alabamashares a border
Score 60.33
Similar health profile
53558
Wisconsin100% similar profile
Score 64.65
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 | 25.8% | 22.8–28.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.5% | 33.5–41.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–9.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.4–10.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.5–5.8 |
| Depression among adults | 22.9% | 19.6–26.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.9% | 8.5–11.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.9% | 34.9–43.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.6% | 26.0–37.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.6% | 2.4–2.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.3% | 7.5–11.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.5% | 5.4–7.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.7% | 70.3–76.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.5% | 74.9–81.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.9% | 86.2–89.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.7% | 64.3–73.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.7% | 65.2–72.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.7% | 72.1–84.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.9% | 14.8–21.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.1% | 9.3–12.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.2% | 16.0–22.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.6% | 30.4–41.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.0% | 13.0–17.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.3% | 13.4–17.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.0% | 9.6–12.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.5% | 11.0–14.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.5% | 22.9–30.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–7.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.7–7.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.3–12.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.7% | 2.4–2.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.5% | 17.5–23.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.2% | 8.7–11.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.1–7.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.3–9.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 5.1–6.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.4% | 26.2–34.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.1–6.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 46.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 13.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 90.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 51.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 17.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 40.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $121,356 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $366,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $1,322 | $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 | 78.2 yr ± 0.80 | 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 0.80 years of 78.2, 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