ZIP code
35661
in Muscle Shoals, AlabamaPopulation 19,169
49.03/ 100
Ranked #17,622 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 45%)
Ranked #138 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (top 22%)
Ranked #5 of 13 Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ZIPs (top 38%)
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.
Arsenic in groundwater
0.91%
in the bottom 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Pharmacy access
0.59 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS94thDefinition & 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
59.4%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 11.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
2.3 pCi/L
in the top 24% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS76thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Muscle Shoals, Alabama (ZIP 35661) lands in the bottom 45% nationally (17,622nd) and the top 22% of Alabama (138th).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: modeled arsenic rests in the bottom 1.0% nationally, and pharmacy stands in the top 3.6% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lies at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Grocery lands in the top 10.4% nationally. Distance to a community health center sits at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Distance to a nursing home is at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Set against that, modeled expected annual loss settles in the top 5.7% nationally, pfas resides in the top 8.2% nationally, and disaster risk registers in the top 11.8% nationally. PFOA in drinking water rests in the top 14.2% nationally.
A note on the terms: arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 35634, 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 Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 42%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 46%
8%
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 23%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 76%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 66%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 77%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 81%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 75%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 83%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 75%
8%
Disability
healthier than 83%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 33%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.00%
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
One of our published findings lists 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 75.2 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $74,310 predicts 78.9 years — 3.7 years below.
Ranked #4,823 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
35630
Alabamashares a border
Score 41.44
Closest healthier
35634
Alabamashares a border
Score 54.43
Similar health profile
66606
Kansas89% similar profile
Score 48.38
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 | 31.7% | 28.2–35.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.4% | 38.0–46.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.1% | 8.2–10.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 8.9–11.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–8.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–8.7 |
| Depression among adults | 23.9% | 20.2–27.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.8% | 11.9–15.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.7% | 37.3–46.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.0% | 28.6–43.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.9% | 11.2–16.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.5% | 7.2–10.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.5% | 75.5–81.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.7% | 77.3–83.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.0% | 85.2–88.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.4% | 63.3–73.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.8% | 56.8–64.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.3% | 69.7–83.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.5% | 11.8–17.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.2% | 12.1–16.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.8% | 21.5–30.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.5% | 32.5–46.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.9% | 18.2–23.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.7% | 14.7–18.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.9% | 12.2–15.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.1% | 13.2–16.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.0% | 30.5–39.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–9.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.1% | 14.0–18.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.9% | 20.5–27.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.2% | 13.2–17.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 9.0–12.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.6% | 10.1–13.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 7.1–9.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.1% | 29.0–39.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–8.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 14.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 23.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.9% | 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 | 86.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 70.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 53.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 19.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 41.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $74,310 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $191,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $1,006 | $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 | 75.2 yr ± 0.68 | 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 0.68 years of 75.2, 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