ZIP code
36523
in Coden, AlabamaPopulation 2,972
35.39/ 100
Ranked #29,233 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 8.9%)
Ranked #521 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 16%)
Ranked #29 of 35 Mobile, AL ZIPs (bottom 17%)
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.
Floodplain exposure
65.7%
in the top 2.0% 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
17.1%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
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 ›High cholesterol
45.8%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
18.3%
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
141 days/year
in the top 7.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Mobility disability
22.3%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST72ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
11.1%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
10.2%
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
45.9%
in the top 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST54thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.7 pCi/L
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS4thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
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
Coden, Alabama (ZIP 36523), on the composite measure, lands in the bottom 8.9% nationally (29,233rd) and the bottom 16% of Alabama (521st).
The main burdens in the data show plainly and lead the picture: floodplain exposure stands in the top 2.0% nationally, outer-floodplain exposure is in the top 2.3% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol rests in the top 3.0% nationally. Modeled diabetes sits in the top 7.2% nationally, humid heat registers in the top 7.1% nationally, and mobility disability lands in the top 8.7% nationally. Modeled hearing disability resides in the top 8.7% nationally, and coronary heart disease lies in the top 8.3% nationally. Modeled independent living disability settles in the top 10.8% nationally, and high blood pressure stands in the top 10.0% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 36528, 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 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 79%
14%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 31%
8%
Disability
healthier than 9%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 2%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 68%
14%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 1%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 94%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 29%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Disability
healthier than 26%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
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 78.6; chronic-disease standing 10.7 — 68 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #1,194 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
36509
Alabamashares a border
Score 31.21
Closest healthier
36528
Alabamashares a border
Score 59.66
Similar health profile
71674
Arkansas100% similar profile
Score 33.29
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 | 34.6% | 31.5–37.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 45.9% | 42.5–49.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.8–10.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.7% | 8.6–11.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 10.2% | 9.1–11.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 12.2% | 10.6–14.1 |
| Depression among adults | 24.6% | 21.6–27.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 18.3% | 16.2–20.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 45.8% | 42.4–49.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.4% | 33.8–43.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.2% | 4.7–5.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 21.7% | 18.3–25.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.2% | 10.1–14.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.0% | 78.4–83.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.3% | 75.0–81.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.2% | 81.9–86.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.3% | 58.8–67.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 47.9% | 44.4–51.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 70.2% | 63.3–76.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.8% | 11.6–16.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 20.8% | 18.0–24.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 34.6% | 30.5–39.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.9% | 34.7–43.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 28.1% | 24.8–32.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.0% | 16.0–20.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.8% | 15.8–20.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.4% | 16.2–20.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 41.5% | 37.4–46.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 11.1% | 9.8–12.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.1% | 10.7–13.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 22.3% | 19.6–25.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–7.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.4% | 23.1–30.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.3% | 18.9–25.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 17.3% | 14.5–20.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.7% | 11.7–15.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.4–12.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.4% | 29.7–37.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 8.2–11.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 28.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 21.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 80.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 79.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 49.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 17.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 43.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $61,607 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $165,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $1,157 | $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 | 74.2 yr ± 1.01 | 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 1.01 years of 74.2, 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