ZIP code
35242
in Hoover, AlabamaPopulation 57,374
65.35/ 100
Ranked #1,866 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 5.9%)
Ranked #5 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (top 0.9%)
Ranked #5 of 116 Birmingham, AL ZIPs (top 4.4%)
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.
Natural-disaster risk
in the top 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Housing insecurity
6.7%
in the bottom 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.9%
in the bottom 6.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
0.93 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Food insecurity
8.2%
in the bottom 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Mammography
81.1%
in the top 6.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Pharmacy access
0.37 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Utility shut-off threat
4.7%
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, ZIP 35242, one of several in Hoover, Alabama lands in the top 5.9% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,866th) and the top 0.9% of Alabama (5th).
Strengths and concerns sit side by side across the measures here: modeled housing insecurity registers in the bottom 5.4% nationally, and transportation sits in the bottom 6.7% nationally. Dental providers rests in the top 8.0% nationally, and modeled food insecurity is in the bottom 8.3% nationally. Modeled mammography stands in the top 6.4% nationally, pharmacy settles in the top 9.6% nationally, and modeled utility shutoff lies in the bottom 9.7% nationally. On the other hand, modeled disaster risk resides in the top 1.5% nationally, expected annual loss lands in the top 2.2% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk registers in the top 4.5% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. 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 35223, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 81%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 94%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 92%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 91%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 85%
8%
Disability
healthier than 91%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 50%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 95%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 98%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 99%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 99%
8%
Disability
healthier than 98%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 97%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 71%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 91%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 96%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 98%
8%
Disability
healthier than 95%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 51%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 50%
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
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.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 82.0 ± 1.4 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 75.1 years — 6.9 years above them.
Ranked #11 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 82.0 ± 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
35043
Alabamashares a border
Score 60.17
Closest healthier
35223
Alabamashares a border
Score 70.98
Similar health profile
46033
Indiana100% similar profile
Score 68.79
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 | 26.6% | 23.9–29.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.9% | 34.4–41.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.4% | 8.6–10.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.0% | 8.0–10.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.7% | 4.2–5.3 |
| Depression among adults | 21.4% | 18.6–24.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.4% | 36.7–44.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 29.1% | 24.3–34.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.6% | 2.4–2.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.5% | 6.0–9.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.3% | 4.6–6.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.7% | 74.0–79.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.4% | 77.5–83.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.4% | 88.1–90.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.7% | 68.8–76.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 71.6% | 68.5–74.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.1% | 75.4–86.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.5% | 14.0–19.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.3% | 7.2–9.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 17.5% | 14.9–20.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.7% | 28.2–37.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.4% | 11.8–15.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.3% | 11.8–14.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.7% | 9.5–11.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.1% | 22.1–28.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.2–6.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.4% | 2.2–2.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 18.4% | 16.0–21.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 7.1–9.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 4.7% | 4.0–5.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.4% | 25.8–33.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 65.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 5.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 54.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 19.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 43.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $117,047 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $477,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $1,472 | $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 | 82.0 yr ± 0.73 | 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 0.73 years of 82.0, 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