ZIP code
36867
in Phenix City, AlabamaPopulation 22,821
42.29/ 100
Ranked #24,983 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 22%)
Ranked #318 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 49%)
Ranked #20 of 36 Columbus, GA-AL ZIPs (bottom 44%)
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.
Air-toxics cancer risk
40 per million
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
2.0%
in the top 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
65 mi
in the top 7.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
48%
in the bottom 8.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Pharmacy access
0.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Grocery access
0.18 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
131.2 days/year
in the top 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST57thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
85.3%
in the top 10.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
85.3%
in the top 10.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS89thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.4%
in the top 12.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS87thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Overall, ZIP 36867, one of several in Phenix City, Alabama lands in the bottom 22% nationally (24,983rd) and the bottom 49% of Alabama (318th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: distance to an emergency room rests at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Distance to a Superfund site stands in the top 7.5% nationally, and pharmacy lies in the top 8.2% nationally. Grocery lands in the top 8.9% nationally. On the other side, modeled air-toxics cancer risk sits in the top 4.5% nationally, slow internet speeds is in the top 5.7% nationally, and homeownership settles in the bottom 8.1% nationally. Modeled humid heat resides in the top 9.7% nationally, PFOA in drinking water registers in the top 10.4% nationally, and poverty rests in the top 10.5% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 31904, 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. 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.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 40%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 28%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 29%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 26%
8%
Disability
healthier than 19%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Disability
healthier than 49%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 24%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 38%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 31%
8%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 54%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 43%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 46%
11%
Disability
healthier than 49%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 3%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 37%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
“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
2 of our published findings list 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 74.7 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $48,026 predicts 77.2 years — 2.5 years below.
Ranked #3,428 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 40.0 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 74.7 ± 1.2 years.
Ranked #504 of the 4,173 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by modeled air-toxics risk, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
31901
Georgiashares a border
Score 39.67
Closest healthier
31904
Georgiashares a border
Score 47.01
Similar health profile
23803
Virginia98% similar profile
Score 42.70
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 | 30.3% | 27.5–33.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 44.3% | 40.7–48.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.7% | 7.1–8.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.8–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.9–8.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.1% | 8.2–10.0 |
| Depression among adults | 24.6% | 21.6–28.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.8% | 14.1–17.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.5% | 36.9–44.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.5% | 35.4–47.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.5% | 4.2–4.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 17.2% | 14.4–20.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.1% | 9.7–12.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.6% | 75.2–79.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.3% | 77.4–83.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.8% | 83.0–86.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.4% | 62.2–70.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 53.5% | 50.1–56.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.0% | 69.9–81.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.5% | 11.5–16.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.3% | 15.3–19.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.5% | 27.6–35.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.0% | 34.7–45.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.8% | 23.4–28.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.7% | 17.0–20.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.3% | 13.8–17.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.0% | 16.3–19.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 38.9% | 35.1–42.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.6–12.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.8% | 16.9–20.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.5% | 5.1–6.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.7–7.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.3% | 23.4–29.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.0% | 22.7–27.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 20.2% | 18.2–22.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.2% | 16.4–20.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.6% | 11.4–14.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.9% | 32.9–41.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.0% | 11.7–14.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 25.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 18.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 28.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 84.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 37.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 48.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–4.2%) n=622 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 42.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 14.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 36.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $48,026 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $207,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $996 | $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 | 74.7 yr ± 0.60 | 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 0.60 years of 74.7, 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