ZIP code
35215
in Birmingham, AlabamaPopulation 43,903
40.12/ 100
Ranked #26,680 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 17%)
Ranked #399 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #90 of 116 Birmingham, AL ZIPs (bottom 22%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
1,459 units
in the top 0.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
42.5%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
20%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
44.7%
in the top 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
26.4%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
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 ›Lack of transportation
17.4%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS95thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
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 ›The read
Overall, ZIP 35215, one of several in Birmingham, Alabama lands in the bottom 17% nationally (26,680th) and the bottom 36% of Alabama (399th).
A number of measures mark where this area is under strain: modeled loneliness registers in the top 1.6% nationally, and utility shutoff rests in the top 2.6% nationally. Modeled short sleep stands in the top 3.5% nationally, and housing insecurity lies in the top 3.2% nationally. Modeled food insecurity lands in the top 3.3% nationally, transportation sits in the top 3.8% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk is in the top 4.5% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss settles in the top 4.8% nationally, and PFAS in drinking water resides at the national maximum. On the brighter side, subsidized affordable housing registers in the top 0.7% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 35071, just across the boundary, ranks better 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 89%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 23%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 10%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 90%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 17%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 34%
8%
Disability
healthier than 31%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 86%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 32%
8%
Disability
healthier than 20%
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 73.5 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $52,793 predicts 77.6 years — 4.0 years below.
Ranked #5,079 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 73.5 ± 1.4 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
35071
Alabamashares a border
Score 55.38
Closest healthier
35116
Alabamashares a border
Score 55.34
Similar health profile
63135
Missouri99% similar profile
Score 39.28
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 | 28.5% | 26.0–31.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 47.8% | 44.5–51.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–6.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.4% | 10.1–12.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.7–9.4 |
| Depression among adults | 22.5% | 19.7–25.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 18.7% | 16.8–20.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.1% | 34.9–41.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 45.3% | 40.7–50.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.0% | 4.7–5.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 22.8% | 19.1–26.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.9% | 11.2–14.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.2% | 74.6–79.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.0% | 79.3–84.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.7% | 82.8–86.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.6% | 62.4–70.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 47.6% | 43.8–51.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.0% | 76.8–86.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.2% | 10.2–14.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.7% | 16.6–21.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 36.5% | 32.8–40.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 44.7% | 40.3–49.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 28.7% | 26.1–31.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.0% | 18.0–22.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.5–16.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.8% | 17.9–21.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 41.8% | 38.2–45.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 13.1% | 11.9–14.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 21.1% | 19.1–23.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.3–7.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.9% | 8.2–9.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 30.1% | 26.9–33.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 35.8% | 32.4–39.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 30.5% | 27.5–33.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 26.4% | 23.6–29.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 17.4% | 15.6–19.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 42.5% | 38.7–46.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 20.0% | 17.8–22.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 19.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 19.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 19.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 35.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 56.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 37.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 12.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 35.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $52,793 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $157,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $1,148 | $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 | 73.5 yr ± 0.71 | 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 0.71 years of 73.5, 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