ZIP code
36540
in Gainestown, AlabamaPopulation 872
34.20/ 100
Ranked #29,659 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 7.6%)
Ranked #535 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 13.6%)
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
48.6%
in the top 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
20.8%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
52.3%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
52.6%
in the bottom 1.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST2ndUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
21.3%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
42.1%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Obesity
48.4%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.0%
in the bottom 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST21stUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Self-care disability
7.4%
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
0.00%
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Health need and barriers to care documented here
On our reading, this ZIP code carries the overlap at its severe level: severe means at least four of the six health-need readings and at least four of the six access barriers apply to the same place.
These are two separate readings of public data that both apply to this place — never a claim that one causes the other, never a severity score, and never a statement about any person who lives here.
Health need documented here
- People living in poverty
- Food insecurity
- Housing insecurity
- Adults reporting fair or poor health
- Chronic conditions
Barriers to reaching care
- Thin local supply of doctors
- Thin local supply of pharmacies
- Households with no vehicle
- Limited home internet for telehealth
A reading appears below only where this ZIP code is among the most-affected 10% of US ZIP codes on it — one national bar, the same for every ZIP in the country.
See the full care-deserts analysis →The read
Gainestown, Alabama (ZIP 36540), by its composite score, sits in the bottom 7.6% nationally (29,659th) and the bottom 13.6% of Alabama (535th).
A few measures stand out on the ground and lead the picture: modeled short sleep lands in the top 0.7% nationally, and diabetes stands in the top 2.7% nationally. Modeled high blood pressure registers in the top 1.8% nationally, and home broadband subscription settles in the bottom 1.8% nationally. Unemployment sits in the top 1.8% nationally, modeled loneliness lies in the top 1.8% nationally, and modeled obesity rests in the top 1.3% nationally. Modeled self-care disability resides in the top 4.4% nationally. On the stronger side, modeled arsenic is in the bottom 2.2% nationally, and transportation noise lands at the national minimum.
For anyone unfamiliar, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 36445, just across the boundary. The area further shows documented health need overlapping with barriers to reaching care, sitting in the most-affected 10% of US ZIP codes on several need measures and several access barriers.
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 94%
14%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 43%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 8%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 30%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 6%
11%
Disability
healthier than 7%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 15%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 16%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 93%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 65%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 26%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 19%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Disability
healthier than 19%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 12%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 8%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
36445
Alabamashares a border
Score 35.31
Closest healthier
36480
Alabamashares a border
Score 44.87
Similar health profile
38631
Mississippi99% similar profile
Score 25.98
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 | 32.5% | 28.7–36.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 52.3% | 47.5–56.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.0–13.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.5–9.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.6% | 8.2–11.2 |
| Depression among adults | 20.7% | 17.0–24.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 20.8% | 18.0–23.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.2% | 35.4–44.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 48.4% | 39.6–56.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 26.9% | 22.6–31.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.4% | 10.3–16.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.6% | 76.6–81.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.8% | 79.0–85.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.5% | 81.7–86.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.6% | 56.1–66.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 44.2% | 40.1–48.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.3% | 68.5–82.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 10.6% | 8.3–12.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.5% | 16.2–22.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 38.1% | 31.7–44.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 48.6% | 41.3–56.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 32.9% | 28.4–37.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.3% | 16.7–21.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.7% | 14.4–19.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.9% | 16.9–22.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 45.4% | 39.4–51.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–8.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 13.6% | 11.6–15.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 23.3% | 19.9–26.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.4–8.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.2–10.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 34.8% | 30.2–39.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 35.7% | 30.6–40.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 28.9% | 24.4–33.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.4% | 21.7–29.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 16.9% | 14.6–19.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 42.1% | 36.6–47.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 17.9% | 15.3–20.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 35.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 17.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 21.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 21.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 27.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 52.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 7.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 86.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 44.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 9.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 36.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $29,609 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | — | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 73.7 yr ± 1.04 | 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 1.04 years of 73.7, 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