ZIP code
36041
in Highland Home, AlabamaPopulation 1,561
41.06/ 100
Ranked #25,985 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 19%)
Ranked #364 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 41%)
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
1.1%
in the bottom 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST30thUS4thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
7.7%
in the bottom 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
0.7 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Fiber broadband
98%
in the top 6.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
38.4 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
136.2 days/year
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST65thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Distance to an emergency room
14.8 mi
in the top 11.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS89thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
9 mi
in the top 13.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, Highland Home, Alabama (ZIP 36041) stands in the bottom 19% nationally (25,985th) and the bottom 41% of Alabama (364th).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: modeled arsenic rests in the bottom 4.2% nationally, and pfas lands in the bottom 4.5% nationally. Childcare settles in the top 5.2% nationally, and fiber broadband rests in the top 6.7% nationally. By contrast, fatal road crashes lands in the top 7.6% nationally, modeled humid heat settles in the top 8.3% nationally, and distance to an emergency room rests in the top 11.4% nationally. Modeled high blood pressure lands in the top 10.8% nationally, walkability settles in the bottom 12.2% nationally, and modeled independent living disability rests in the top 12.5% nationally.
For clarity, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. 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. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. ZIP 36042, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 87%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 18%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 34%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 20%
8%
Disability
healthier than 15%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 23%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 81%
14%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 51%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 25%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Disability
healthier than 38%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 16%
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.
Clean environment, heavy chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 87.4; chronic-disease standing 18.3 — 69 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #1,125 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
36032
Alabamashares a border
Score 27.82
Closest healthier
36042
Alabamashares a border
Score 44.60
Similar health profile
72051
Arkansas99% similar profile
Score 35.10
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 | 33.6% | 30.0–37.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 45.6% | 41.0–50.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.6% | 7.8–9.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.7% | 9.4–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.5–9.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.7% | 9.2–12.2 |
| Depression among adults | 25.5% | 21.6–29.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.3% | 14.2–18.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.5% | 37.8–47.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.9% | 32.5–49.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.7% | 4.2–5.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 17.8% | 14.4–21.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.2% | 9.1–13.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.2% | 75.4–80.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.9% | 76.2–83.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.9% | 81.7–86.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.8% | 62.6–72.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 51.3% | 47.0–55.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.6% | 65.2–80.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.2% | 11.5–17.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.8% | 16.8–23.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.6% | 27.2–38.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.3% | 32.2–46.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 27.2% | 23.6–30.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.0% | 16.7–21.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.8% | 14.8–19.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.9% | 16.5–21.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 41.0% | 35.7–46.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.5–10.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.8% | 10.4–13.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.1% | 17.5–23.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.0–6.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–7.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.2% | 21.5–29.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.1% | 18.8–25.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 17.3% | 14.5–20.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.9% | 12.8–17.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.5–12.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.2% | 29.9–40.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 9.1–12.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 37.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 16.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 91.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 52.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 18.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 39.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $60,903 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $160,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $744 | $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 | 72.6 yr ± 1.44 | 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 1.44 years of 72.6, 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