ZIP code
36782
in Sweet Water, AlabamaPopulation 1,850
39.84/ 100
Ranked #26,867 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 16%)
Ranked #408 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 34%)
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
0.93%
in the bottom 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›High blood pressure
52.6%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
20.6%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
5.6%
in the bottom 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
1.2 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 3.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
23.9%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
11.2%
in the bottom 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST16thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Stroke
5.8%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
45.7%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Distance to an emergency room
20.4 mi
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Sweet Water, Alabama (ZIP 36782) lands in the bottom 16% nationally (26,867th) and the bottom 34% of Alabama (408th).
Where the load on this area runs deepest, the data leads: modeled high blood pressure resides in the top 1.6% nationally, and diabetes registers in the top 3.0% nationally. Walkability rests in the bottom 3.4% nationally, and modeled mobility disability stands in the top 5.1% nationally. Modeled stroke lies in the top 5.3% nationally, modeled high cholesterol lands in the top 3.2% nationally, and distance to an emergency room sits in the top 5.3% nationally. More encouragingly, modeled arsenic is in the bottom 1.2% nationally, pfas settles in the bottom 1.6% nationally, and binge drinking resides in the bottom 3.7% nationally.
A note on the terms: 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. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 36732, just across the boundary, ranks better 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 91%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 65%
13%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 6%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 19%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Disability
healthier than 8%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 17%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 88%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 64%
8%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 19%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 35%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
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 91.3 (top 10%); chronic-disease standing 6.2 (bottom 10%) — 85 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #274 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
36732
Alabamashares a border
Score 45.05
Closest healthier
36784
Alabamashares a border
Score 40.65
Similar health profile
64740
Missouri99% similar profile
Score 41.76
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 | 36.7% | 33.1–40.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 52.6% | 48.4–57.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.3% | 7.5–9.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 9.8–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.8% | 9.5–12.3 |
| Depression among adults | 22.6% | 19.3–26.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 20.6% | 18.3–23.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 45.7% | 41.3–50.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.8% | 34.9–51.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 19.3% | 15.8–23.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.5% | 9.4–13.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.9% | 79.5–84.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 83.2% | 80.0–86.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.4% | 84.4–88.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.1% | 64.1–73.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 53.4% | 49.3–57.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.4% | 69.8–83.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 11.2% | 9.0–13.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.6% | 16.0–21.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 35.4% | 30.4–41.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.8% | 34.8–49.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 30.3% | 26.7–34.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.0% | 15.8–20.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.2% | 15.2–19.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.3% | 16.1–20.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 43.3% | 38.4–48.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.2–10.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.6% | 11.2–14.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 23.9% | 21.1–27.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.9% | 24.8–33.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 27.6% | 24.1–31.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 22.7% | 19.7–26.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.7% | 16.1–21.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 11.5–15.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.8% | 32.3–43.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.5% | 11.7–15.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 14.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 16.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 11.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 69.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 11.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 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 | 47.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 19.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 38.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $51,429 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $66,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $909 | $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 | 75.6 yr ± 1.41 | 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 1.41 years of 75.6, 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