ZIP code
35071
in Gardendale, AlabamaPopulation 17,288
55.38/ 100
Ranked #8,997 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 28%)
Ranked #55 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (top 8.9%)
Ranked #22 of 116 Birmingham, AL ZIPs (top 19%)
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.
Dental provider access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices located 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 ›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 ›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 ›Grocery access
0.23 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Mammography
81.8%
in the top 4.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Pharmacy access
0.41 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies located 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 ›Tree cover
66.7%
in the top 10.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS89thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
3.5%
in the bottom 11.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Physician access
1.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 12.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices located 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
71.9%
in the top 11.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS89thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, Gardendale, Alabama (ZIP 35071) lands in the top 28% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,997th) and the top 8.9% of Alabama (55th).
The profile opens on a set of genuinely favorable readings: dental providers stands in the top 4.2% nationally, and grocery settles in the top 5.6% nationally. Modeled mammography lies in the top 4.4% nationally, and pharmacy resides in the top 7.9% nationally. Modeled tree cover lands in the top 10.9% nationally, poverty registers in the bottom 11.8% nationally, and physicians sits in the top 12.8% nationally. Distance to a nursing home rests at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. On the other side, modeled air-toxics cancer risk is in the top 4.5% nationally, and PFAS in drinking water stands at the national maximum.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 35091, 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 58%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Disability
healthier than 59%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 87%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 90%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 93%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 92%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Disability
healthier than 88%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 84%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 75%
8%
Disability
healthier than 76%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 42%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 49%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
“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 76.2 ± 1.0 years. A median household income of $82,074 predicts 79.3 years — 3.1 years below.
Ranked #4,230 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 76.2 ± 1.0 years. The 50 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 73.4 years — 2.9 years above them.
Ranked #917 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 76.2 ± 1.0 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
35062
Alabamashares a border
Score 47.63
Closest healthier
35091
Alabamashares a border
Score 56.14
Similar health profile
02777
Massachusetts98% similar profile
Score 59.09
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 | 29.6% | 26.9–32.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.6% | 36.4–42.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.8–10.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.1–7.8 |
| Depression among adults | 24.1% | 21.2–27.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–14.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.6% | 38.3–45.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.4% | 28.3–36.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.8% | 9.6–14.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.7% | 6.5–9.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.6% | 75.9–81.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.5% | 77.6–83.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.1% | 86.5–89.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.9% | 68.0–75.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.7% | 59.1–66.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.8% | 76.7–86.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.9% | 13.5–18.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.7% | 11.0–14.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.6% | 21.5–27.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.8% | 29.9–37.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.7% | 15.7–19.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.2–17.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.4% | 11.0–13.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.6–15.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.5% | 30.3–37.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–9.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.9% | 13.1–16.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–4.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.6% | 19.0–24.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.2–14.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 6.9–9.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.5–11.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.9% | 6.0–7.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.3% | 32.7–40.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.6–7.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 29.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 77.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 45.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 18.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 39.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $82,074 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $261,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $1,264 | $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 | 76.2 yr ± 0.52 | 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 0.52 years of 76.2, 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