ZIP code
35901
in Gadsden, AlabamaPopulation 18,769
36.76/ 100
Ranked #28,640 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 10.7%)
Ranked #494 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 20%)
Ranked #9 of 10 Gadsden, AL ZIPs (bottom 10.0%)
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.
Short sleep
46.4%
in the top 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
1.7 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Physician access
4.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.27 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics 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 ›Outpatient-care access
0.86 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient clinics 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 ›High blood pressure
49.8%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
19.1%
in the top 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Obesity
46.3%
in the top 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
6.7%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
30%
in the top 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 35901, one of several in Gadsden, Alabama ranks in the bottom 10.7% nationally (28,640th) and the bottom 20% of Alabama (494th).
A number of readings press hard on the profile and set its tone: modeled short sleep rests in the top 1.7% nationally, and high blood pressure lands in the top 3.6% nationally. Modeled diabetes settles in the top 5.4% nationally, and obesity rests in the top 2.8% nationally. Modeled self-care disability lands in the top 7.4% nationally. On the brighter side, dental providers settles in the top 2.0% nationally, physicians rests in the top 2.0% nationally, and mental-health providers lands in the top 2.5% nationally. Outpatient settles in the top 2.7% nationally. Distance to an emergency room rests at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs.
The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 35903, just across the boundary. Mental-health providers rests in the top 2.5% nationally.
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 Gadsden, 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
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 9%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 35%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 39%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 7%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Disability
healthier than 8%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 48%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 26%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 36%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Disability
healthier than 24%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Lifting this score
Mental Health
healthier than 67%
8%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
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 73.4 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $48,876 predicts 77.3 years — 3.9 years below.
Ranked #4,992 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
35903
Alabamashares a border
Score 40.32
Closest healthier
35905
Alabamashares a border
Score 46.26
Similar health profile
29596
South Carolina99% similar profile
Score 36.07
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 | 35.1% | 31.7–38.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 49.8% | 45.7–54.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.9% | 8.1–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.7% | 9.5–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.3–10.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.0 |
| Depression among adults | 23.7% | 20.4–27.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 19.1% | 16.9–21.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 43.2% | 38.8–47.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 46.3% | 39.0–53.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.4% | 5.0–5.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 20.9% | 17.6–24.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.3% | 10.6–14.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.8% | 77.3–82.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.5% | 78.4–84.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.5% | 83.7–87.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.6% | 60.9–70.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 52.1% | 48.3–55.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.0% | 66.6–80.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.5% | 10.2–15.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.0% | 16.5–21.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 36.4% | 31.6–41.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 46.4% | 40.2–53.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 30.0% | 26.8–33.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.3% | 16.2–20.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.4% | 15.4–19.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.7% | 16.7–20.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 43.5% | 38.9–48.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.6–10.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.4–14.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 22.7% | 20.2–25.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.7–9.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.8% | 22.3–29.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 26.1% | 23.2–28.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 22.3% | 19.9–24.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.2% | 16.0–20.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 11.7–14.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.0% | 31.0–41.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 12.0–15.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 26.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 21.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 23.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 31.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 46.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 21.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 38.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $48,876 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $166,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $820 | $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 | 73.4 yr ± 0.56 | 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 0.56 years of 73.4, 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