ZIP code
35903
in Gadsden, AlabamaPopulation 17,113
40.32/ 100
Ranked #26,537 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 17%)
Ranked #389 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 37%)
Ranked #6 of 10 Gadsden, AL ZIPs (bottom 40%)
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
46.8%
in the top 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Obesity
45.4%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
390 units
in the top 6.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Physician access
2.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›High blood pressure
47.1%
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST62ndUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
37 per million
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST79thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS84thDefinition & 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 ›The read
On the composite measure, ZIP 35903, one of several in Gadsden, Alabama stands in the bottom 17% nationally (26,537th) and the bottom 37% of Alabama (389th).
Several signals sit on each side of the ledger here: distance to an emergency room registers at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Subsidized affordable housing lies in the top 6.1% nationally, and physicians is in the top 6.8% nationally. Distance to a community health center registers at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Working the other way, modeled short sleep lies in the top 1.5% nationally, obesity is in the top 3.8% nationally, and high blood pressure registers in the top 7.5% nationally. Modeled air-toxics cancer risk lies in the top 8.3% nationally, expected annual loss is in the top 9.8% nationally, and diabetes registers in the top 10.6% nationally.
For clarity, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. 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. ZIP 35905, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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
healthier than 81%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 19%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Disability
healthier than 17%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 47%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 38%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 19%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 44%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 33%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
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
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 70.9 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $53,122 predicts 77.6 years — 6.7 years below.
Ranked #5,792 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 70.9 ± 1.5 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 74.2 years — 3.3 years below them.
Ranked #2,590 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
35901
Alabamashares a border
Score 36.76
Closest healthier
35905
Alabamashares a border
Score 46.26
Similar health profile
63448
Missouri98% similar profile
Score 43.40
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 | 32.8% | 29.4–36.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 47.1% | 43.0–51.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–9.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.5–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–8.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.3% | 8.3–10.3 |
| Depression among adults | 24.0% | 20.6–27.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 17.3% | 15.2–19.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.4% | 37.2–45.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 45.4% | 38.3–52.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.7% | 4.3–5.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.8% | 14.0–19.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.4% | 9.8–13.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.5% | 75.9–81.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.8% | 77.5–83.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.3% | 83.5–87.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.0% | 62.4–71.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 54.0% | 50.2–57.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.1% | 69.1–82.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.4% | 10.9–16.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.7% | 15.4–20.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 34.1% | 29.6–38.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 46.8% | 40.5–53.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 27.5% | 24.5–30.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.5% | 16.5–20.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.2% | 14.5–18.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.2% | 16.3–20.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 41.3% | 36.9–45.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.4–12.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.2% | 17.9–22.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.2–6.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.6–7.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.4% | 22.6–30.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 23.9% | 21.1–26.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 19.3% | 17.0–21.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.4% | 15.2–19.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.1% | 10.7–13.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.8% | 31.7–41.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 10.8–14.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 15.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 48.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 17.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 44.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $53,122 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $172,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $861 | $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 | 70.9 yr ± 0.78 | 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 0.78 years of 70.9, 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