ZIP code
35206
in Birmingham, AlabamaPopulation 15,621
35.98/ 100
Ranked #29,007 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 9.6%)
Ranked #512 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 17%)
Ranked #105 of 116 Birmingham, AL ZIPs (bottom 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.
Diabetes
21.3%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
7.8%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
40 per million
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›High blood pressure
50.7%
in the top 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST79thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
19.7%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
40.9%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
9.8%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
44.4%
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
35.8%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
13.6%
in the top 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›The read
By its overall health score, ZIP 35206, one of several in Birmingham, Alabama lands in the bottom 9.6% nationally (29,007th) and the bottom 17% of Alabama (512th).
The measures that press hardest set the tone here: modeled diabetes is in the top 2.2% nationally, and self-care disability stands in the top 3.3% nationally. Modeled air-toxics cancer risk settles in the top 2.5% nationally, and high blood pressure lies in the top 2.8% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff resides in the top 2.7% nationally, loneliness lands in the top 2.9% nationally, and vision disability registers in the top 5.3% nationally. Modeled short sleep sits in the top 3.9% nationally, food insecurity rests in the top 3.3% nationally, and independent living disability is in the top 5.0% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far higher 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. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 35210, 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
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 55%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 78%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Disability
healthier than 18%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 51%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 14%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 10%
11%
Disability
healthier than 12%
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
2 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 72.4 ± 2.2 years. A median household income of $42,549 predicts 76.7 years — 4.3 years below.
Ranked #5,211 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, 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 72.4 ± 2.2 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
35210
Alabamashares a border
Score 59.07
Closest healthier
35215
Alabamashares a border
Score 40.12
Similar health profile
63147
Missouri99% 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 | 31.3% | 28.6–34.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 50.7% | 47.3–54.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.0% | 5.5–6.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 9.9–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.1% | 7.3–8.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.7% | 8.7–10.8 |
| Depression among adults | 22.1% | 19.4–25.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 21.3% | 19.2–23.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.9% | 37.5–44.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 45.4% | 40.7–50.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.9% | 5.4–6.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 25.5% | 21.7–29.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.0% | 11.3–15.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.9% | 77.6–82.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.6% | 80.0–85.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.7% | 83.9–87.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.0% | 64.0–71.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 45.5% | 41.9–49.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.7% | 76.7–86.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.0% | 10.1–14.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.8% | 17.4–22.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 37.7% | 33.9–41.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 44.4% | 39.9–48.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 30.3% | 27.5–33.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.1% | 17.2–21.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.0% | 14.3–17.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.4% | 17.4–21.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 42.8% | 39.1–46.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–8.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 13.6% | 12.3–15.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 23.5% | 21.3–25.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 7.8% | 7.1–8.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 9.8% | 9.0–10.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.2% | 26.0–32.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 35.8% | 32.7–39.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 31.9% | 28.8–35.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.3% | 22.6–28.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 17.2% | 15.4–19.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 40.9% | 37.0–45.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 19.7% | 17.6–22.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 23.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 25.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 21.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 10.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 38.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 48.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 32.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 17.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 42.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $42,549 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $153,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $1,024 | $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 | 72.4 yr ± 1.10 | 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 1.10 years of 72.4, 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