ZIP code
36509
in Bayou La Batre, AlabamaPopulation 1,233
31.21/ 100
Ranked #30,497 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 4.9%)
Ranked #571 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 7.8%)
Ranked #31 of 35 Mobile, AL ZIPs (bottom 11.5%)
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.
Pharmacy access
2.7 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.09% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Independent-living disability
14.6%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
69.6%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
33.7%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
20.4%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
53.3%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Elder-services access
0.55 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Tooth loss
27.9%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
10.0%
in the top 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
7.2%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both humid-heat days and flood exposure.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
By the composite health measure, Bayou La Batre, Alabama (ZIP 36509) ranks in the bottom 4.9% nationally (30,497th) and the bottom 7.8% of Alabama (571st).
Where the load on this area runs deepest, the data leads: modeled independent living disability is in the top 3.2% nationally, and floodplain exposure settles in the top 1.8% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health resides in the top 3.6% nationally, and diabetes registers in the top 3.2% nationally. Modeled colon screening rests in the bottom 3.6% nationally, tooth loss stands in the top 4.5% nationally, and vision disability lies in the top 4.9% nationally. Modeled self-care disability lands in the top 5.1% nationally. More encouragingly, pharmacy sits in the top 0.09% nationally, and elder services is in the top 2.1% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, pharmacy runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". Close by, ZIP 36523, just across the boundary, ranks healthier 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 Mobile, AL metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 69%
14%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 15%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 20%
8%
Disability
healthier than 4%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 2%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 56%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 0.9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 2%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 82%
14%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 47%
16%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 3%
8%
Disability
healthier than 9%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 6%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 29%
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 70.9; chronic-disease standing 15.0 — 56 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #2,044 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
36523
Alabamashares a border
Score 35.39
Closest healthier
36541
Alabamashares a border
Score 50.16
Similar health profile
77538
Texas98% similar profile
Score 33.32
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 | 29.5% | 26.9–32.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 44.2% | 40.9–47.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–7.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.1% | 8.2–10.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 11.9% | 10.5–13.4 |
| Depression among adults | 23.8% | 21.0–27.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 20.4% | 18.3–22.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 43.4% | 40.1–46.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.1% | 33.7–42.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.2% | 4.8–5.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 27.9% | 23.7–32.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 16.6% | 13.7–19.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.4% | 75.8–80.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.5% | 73.0–79.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 79.3% | 76.6–81.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 53.3% | 48.7–57.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 40.1% | 36.7–43.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 68.7% | 61.4–75.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 11.8% | 9.9–14.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 23.8% | 21.0–26.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 42.8% | 38.5–47.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 43.6% | 39.1–48.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 33.7% | 30.3–37.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.2% | 18.2–22.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.5% | 16.6–20.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 21.7% | 19.4–24.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 44.5% | 40.5–48.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.7–10.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 14.6% | 13.0–16.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 23.7% | 21.2–26.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.5–8.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 10.0% | 9.0–11.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 32.9% | 29.0–36.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 35.4% | 31.0–39.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 27.8% | 23.9–31.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.7% | 17.9–23.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 16.1% | 14.1–18.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 38.4% | 34.1–42.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 14.1% | 12.2–15.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 25.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 22.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 36.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 7.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 33.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 61.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 11.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 14.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 38.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 16.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 35.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $33,488 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $86,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $803 | $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 | 73.6 yr ± 1.11 | 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 1.11 years of 73.6, 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