ZIP code
35806
in Huntsville, AlabamaPopulation 29,161
59.63/ 100
Ranked #5,125 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 16%)
Ranked #29 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (top 4.7%)
Ranked #10 of 31 Huntsville, AL ZIPs (top 32%)
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.
Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
45.8%
in the bottom 7.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
328 units
in the top 7.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
73.5%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Mammography
81%
in the top 6.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
4.9%
in the bottom 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
1.8%
in the bottom 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS9thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
96.3%
in the top 13.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS87thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.3%
in the top 13.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS86thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 35806, one of several in Huntsville, Alabama, on the composite measure, lands in the top 16% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,125th) and the top 4.7% of Alabama (29th).
What works most in this area's favor shows up clearly across the measures: subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 7.4% nationally, modeled colon screening resides in the top 6.0% nationally, and modeled mammography lies in the top 6.7% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease settles in the bottom 8.7% nationally, modeled energy burden stands in the bottom 9.2% nationally, and home broadband subscription is in the top 13.1% nationally. Distance to a nursing home rests at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Working the other way, modeled industrial-pollution burden sits in the top 4.0% nationally, and homeownership registers in the bottom 7.2% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss lands in the top 8.2% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 35757, 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 Huntsville, 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 82%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 77%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 72%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 95%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 94%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 87%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 93%
8%
Disability
healthier than 96%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 85%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 4%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 67%
8%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
“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 78.8 ± 1.1 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.4 years — 2.4 years above them.
Ranked #1,179 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 9.6 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 81.2 — 72 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,547 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
35749
Alabamashares a border
Score 56.90
Closest healthier
35757
Alabamashares a border
Score 63.26
Similar health profile
64154
Missouri99% similar profile
Score 60.22
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 | 24.4% | 21.8–27.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.4% | 32.0–39.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.4% | 8.2–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.4 |
| Depression among adults | 21.5% | 18.4–24.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.7% | 9.4–12.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.2% | 32.5–39.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.5% | 33.0–44.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.7% | 8.8–13.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.1% | 6.0–8.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.9% | 70.1–75.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.5% | 76.2–82.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.1% | 84.3–87.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 73.5% | 69.3–77.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.8% | 61.4–68.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.0% | 74.8–86.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.6% | 13.0–18.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.0% | 8.6–11.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.3% | 17.3–23.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.6% | 32.5–42.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.0% | 14.0–18.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.4% | 13.6–17.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.4–14.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.0% | 24.6–31.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.2–7.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.8% | 19.7–26.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.8% | 11.0–14.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.5–10.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 9.0–12.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.2% | 30.8–39.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.3–8.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 60.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 45.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 5.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 49.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 11.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 32.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $86,768 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $347,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $1,387 | $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 | 78.8 yr ± 0.54 | 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 0.54 years of 78.8, 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