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ZIP code

35205

in Birmingham, AlabamaPopulation 18,858

ZipVitals Score
How is the ZipVitals Score calculated? →

58.38/ 100

Ranked #6,085 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 19%)

Ranked #40 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (top 6.5%)

Ranked #18 of 116 Birmingham, AL ZIPs (top 16%)

Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.

Robust across all 9 health domains

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.

Physician access

5.8 per 1,000 residents

in the top 0.9% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST99th
US99th
Definition & 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 ›

Walkability

230 intersections/sq mi

in the top 1.7% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST99th
US98th
Definition & source ›

The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.

Full methodology ›

Dental provider access

1.7 per 1,000 residents

in the top 1.8% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST99th
US98th
Definition & 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 ›

Loneliness

40.6%

in the top 3.3% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST94th
US97th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.

Full methodology ›

Mammography

83.5%

in the top 1.8% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST97th
US98th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.

Full methodology ›

Homeownership rate

32.8%

in the bottom 3.7% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST3rd
US4th
Definition & source ›

The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.

Full methodology ›

Outpatient-care access

0.7 per 1,000 residents

in the top 4.0% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST97th
US96th
Definition & source ›

The number of outpatient clinics 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

ST92nd
US96th
Definition & 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 ›

Coronary heart disease

4.0%

in the bottom 3.3% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST2nd
US3rd
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.

Full methodology ›

Slow internet speeds

2.1%

in the top 5.7% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST96th
US94th
Definition & source ›

The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.

Full methodology ›

The read

Overall, ZIP 35205, one of several in Birmingham, Alabama places in the top 19% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,085th) and the top 6.5% of Alabama (40th).

continue reading

The data opens on a genuinely even set of readings: physicians lands in the top 0.9% nationally, and walkability stands in the top 1.7% nationally. Dental providers registers in the top 1.8% nationally, and modeled mammography settles in the top 1.8% nationally. Outpatient sits in the top 4.0% nationally, and modeled coronary heart disease lies in the bottom 3.3% nationally. Distance to an emergency room rests at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. On the other side, modeled loneliness resides in the top 3.3% nationally, homeownership is in the bottom 3.7% nationally, and modeled air-toxics cancer risk lands in the top 4.5% nationally.

Beside the areas that surround it, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 35209, 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.

Compare within

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 95%

21%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 72%

11%

Disability

healthier than 80%

7%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 84%

5%

About typical

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 55%

16%

Preventive Care

healthier than 53%

13%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 47%

5%

Holding it back

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 10%

14%

Mental Health

healthier than 29%

8%

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 99%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 77%

16%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 92%

11%

Disability

healthier than 95%

7%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 92%

5%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 87%

5%

About typical

Preventive Care

healthier than 59%

13%

Holding it back

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 4%

14%

Mental Health

healthier than 38%

8%

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 97%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 70%

16%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 86%

11%

Disability

healthier than 87%

7%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 95%

5%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 82%

5%

About typical

Preventive Care

healthier than 50%

13%

Holding it back

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 10%

14%

Mental Health

healthier than 40%

8%

“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 72.5 ± 2.1 years. A median household income of $51,158 predicts 77.4 years — 4.9 years below.

    Ranked #5,517 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.

  • Heavy environment, light chronic burden

    Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions

    Environmental-hazard standing 10.0 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 95.0 (top 10%) — 85 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.

    Ranked #17,567 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, 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 72.5 ± 2.1 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.

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
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Arthritis among adults17.9%16.1–19.8
High blood pressure among adults29.3%26.8–32.0
Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults4.9%4.5–5.4
Current asthma among adults9.4%8.3–10.6
Coronary heart disease among adults4.0%3.6–4.5
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults4.2%3.7–4.7
Depression among adults24.9%22.0–28.1
Diagnosed diabetes among adults9.1%8.1–10.2
High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened31.1%28.3–34.0
Obesity among adults30.8%26.9–35.0
Stroke among adults2.4%2.2–2.6
All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years12.4%10.3–14.8
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years7.7%6.6–9.0
Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure68.3%65.9–70.5
Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults76.6%73.3–79.8
Cholesterol screening among adults81.8%79.6–83.9
Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years73.1%69.3–76.7
Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults62.4%58.7–65.7
Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years83.5%78.7–87.7
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Binge drinking among adults18.5%15.8–21.6
Current cigarette smoking among adults9.5%8.2–11.1
No leisure-time physical activity among adults21.0%18.3–24.0
Short sleep duration among adults34.7%30.7–38.9
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults15.2%13.5–17.1
Frequent mental distress among adults18.0%16.1–20.3
Frequent physical distress among adults9.4%8.3–10.6
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Cognitive disability among adults15.5%13.8–17.5
Any disability among adults29.6%26.5–33.0
Hearing disability among adults4.8%4.3–5.4
Independent living disability among adults7.8%6.9–8.7
Mobility disability among adults9.8%8.7–10.9
Self-care disability among adults2.9%2.6–3.1
Vision disability among adults4.3%3.9–4.7
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Lack of social and emotional support among adults22.8%20.1–25.8
Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults16.2%14.2–18.3
Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults10.6%9.1–12.1
Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults12.1%10.6–13.7
Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults9.4%8.4–10.6
Loneliness among adults40.6%36.8–44.6
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults8.3%7.3–9.4
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)AL median (p10–p90)
Poverty rate16.4%10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,36415.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623
Uninsured 18–6412.2%9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,28613.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625
No HS diploma (25+)4.7%7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,50513.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626
Bachelor's or higher (25+)58.0%23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,50516.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626
Unemployment rate (16+)4.4%3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,2744.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622
Households without a vehicle10.5%3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,3224.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622
Broadband subscription93.5%89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,32284.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622
Housing cost burden (≥30% income)38.0%23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,32221.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622
Homeownership rate32.8%78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,32278.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622
Crowded housing (>1 per room)2.4%1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,3221.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622
Foreign-born population8.6%2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,5531.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628
Single-parent households57.0%53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,08750.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617
Population 65+12.8%19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,55319.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628
Median age30.1 yr42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,29241.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621
Median household income$51,158$72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318$55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587
Median home value$293,800$222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049$160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568
Median gross rent$1,084$1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670$856 ($625–$1,266) n=503
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)AL median (p10–p90)
Life expectancy at birth72.5 yr ± 1.0578.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,30874.7 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 1.05 years of 72.5, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.

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