ZIP code
36856
in Fort Mitchell, AlabamaPopulation 8,716
45.62/ 100
Ranked #21,747 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 32%)
Ranked #224 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (top 36%)
Ranked #14 of 36 Columbus, GA-AL ZIPs (top 39%)
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
43.6%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
39.1%
in the top 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
4.4%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Unemployment rate
10.6%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
60.4 mi
in the top 8.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
20.1%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
13.6%
in the top 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.5%
in the top 11.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
5.7%
in the bottom 13.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS13thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
5.3%
in the bottom 13.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›The read
Fort Mitchell, Alabama (ZIP 36856), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 32% nationally (21,747th) and the top 36% of Alabama (224th).
An even profile, with readings pulling both ways: distance to a Superfund site sits in the top 8.6% nationally. Against that, modeled short sleep stands in the top 5.3% nationally, modeled loneliness resides in the top 5.9% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure sits in the top 8.2% nationally. Unemployment stands in the top 8.5% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity resides in the top 8.8% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff sits in the top 9.6% nationally, and humid heat stands in the top 10.6% nationally. Modeled food insecurity resides in the top 10.9% nationally, and transportation sits in the top 11.1% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. 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. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 31905, 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 Columbus, GA-AL metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 29%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 26%
8%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 16%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 29%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 87%
21%
Disability
healthier than 77%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 32%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 15%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 24%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 77%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Disability
healthier than 74%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 37%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 6%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 31%
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 74.4 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $75,381 predicts 79.0 years — 4.6 years below.
Ranked #5,378 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
31814
Georgiashares a border
Score 30.88
Closest healthier
31905
Georgiashares a border
Score 55.58
Similar health profile
63389
Missouri96% similar profile
Score 45.66
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 | 24.9% | 21.9–28.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.9% | 36.8–45.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.7–7.4 |
| Depression among adults | 23.9% | 20.4–27.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.2% | 12.5–16.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.7% | 32.5–41.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.0% | 34.6–50.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 17.2% | 14.0–20.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.2% | 9.3–13.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.4% | 71.2–77.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.8% | 75.0–82.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.4% | 82.2–86.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.4% | 57.1–67.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 52.5% | 48.3–56.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.5% | 70.2–83.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.0% | 12.2–18.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.2% | 13.9–18.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.8% | 24.4–33.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 43.6% | 36.7–50.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 23.7% | 20.7–26.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.1% | 16.9–21.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.6% | 12.0–15.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.5% | 15.5–19.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.0% | 30.6–39.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.0–6.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.1% | 9.0–11.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.4% | 13.4–17.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–7.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.1% | 24.9–33.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.2% | 21.5–28.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 18.4% | 15.3–21.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.1% | 17.1–23.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.7% | 10.9–14.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 39.1% | 33.7–44.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 11.6–15.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 15.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 25.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 10.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 87.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 49.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 10.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 31.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $75,381 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $258,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $2,114 | $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 | 74.4 yr ± 0.63 | 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 0.63 years of 74.4, 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