ZIP code
35218
in Birmingham, AlabamaPopulation 6,981
29.38/ 100
Ranked #30,892 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 3.7%)
Ranked #589 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 4.9%)
Ranked #114 of 116 Birmingham, AL ZIPs (bottom 1.8%)
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
26%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
9.7%
in the top 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
35.3%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Stroke
7.2%
in the top 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
57.2%
in the top 0.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
11.8%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Walkability
370 intersections/sq mi
in the top 0.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
28.3%
in the top 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
47.9%
in the top 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
15.6%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS98thDefinition & 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
ZIP 35218, one of several in Birmingham, Alabama, by its overall standing, sits in the bottom 3.7% nationally (30,892nd) and the bottom 4.9% of Alabama (589th).
The data is direct about where this area carries real strain: modeled diabetes lands in the top 0.3% nationally, self-care disability is in the top 0.9% nationally, and tooth loss resides in the top 1.1% nationally. Modeled stroke rests in the top 1.0% nationally, high blood pressure lies in the top 0.4% nationally, and vision disability sits in the top 2.3% nationally. Modeled mobility disability settles in the top 1.0% nationally, and short sleep registers in the top 1.0% nationally. Modeled independent living disability stands in the top 2.0% nationally. More encouragingly, walkability lands in the top 0.3% nationally.
Held up against its neighbors, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 35064, 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 79%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 2%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.9%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 28%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 68%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 48%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 8%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 5%
11%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 55%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 4%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Disability
healthier than 4%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 13%
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
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 73.0 ± 1.8 years. A median household income of $30,739 predicts 75.4 years — 2.4 years below.
Ranked #3,339 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 73.0 ± 1.8 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
35064
Alabamashares a border
Score 38.73
Closest healthier
35204
Alabamashares a border
Score 31.58
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 | 34.5% | 31.4–37.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 57.2% | 53.8–60.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–6.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.1% | 10.7–13.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.1% | 8.2–10.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 11.1% | 9.7–12.7 |
| Depression among adults | 21.0% | 18.3–23.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 26.0% | 23.4–28.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.1% | 38.8–45.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 50.1% | 45.2–54.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 7.2% | 6.6–7.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 35.3% | 30.5–40.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.3% | 11.2–15.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 82.0% | 79.8–84.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 84.5% | 82.0–86.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.3% | 84.5–88.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.0% | 62.6–71.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 42.5% | 38.8–46.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.7% | 76.6–86.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 10.0% | 8.3–11.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 21.9% | 19.0–25.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 42.7% | 38.2–47.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 47.9% | 43.4–52.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 35.1% | 31.6–38.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.9% | 17.7–22.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.6% | 15.6–19.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 20.7% | 18.4–23.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 47.1% | 43.0–51.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 15.6% | 13.9–17.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 28.3% | 25.4–31.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.7–10.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 11.8% | 10.7–13.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 32.4% | 28.8–36.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 43.4% | 38.9–47.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 39.8% | 35.4–44.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 30.4% | 27.1–33.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 20.4% | 18.2–22.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 42.8% | 38.8–47.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 24.2% | 21.5–27.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 34.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 24.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 18.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 7.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 14.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 80.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 47.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 36.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 5.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 25.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 14.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 39.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $30,739 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $92,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $1,002 | $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 | 73.0 yr ± 0.93 | 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 0.93 years of 73.0, 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