ZIP code
36869
in Phenix City, AlabamaPopulation 21,518
36.59/ 100
Ranked #28,713 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 10.5%)
Ranked #498 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 20%)
Ranked #30 of 36 Columbus, GA-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.
Loneliness
39.7%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
43.5%
in the top 5.5% 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 ›Food insecurity
31.5%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
13.1%
in the top 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
6.8%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
16.2%
in the top 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
22.7%
in the top 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
15.3%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
18.4%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
47.7%
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST65thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, ZIP 36869, one of several in Phenix City, Alabama lands in the bottom 10.5% nationally (28,713th) and the bottom 20% of Alabama (498th).
The signals balance out across the profile, strengths against concerns: modeled loneliness lies in the top 4.7% nationally. Set against that, modeled short sleep lands in the top 5.5% nationally, and food insecurity sits in the top 5.1% nationally. Modeled independent living disability is in the top 6.4% nationally, self-care disability settles in the top 6.8% nationally, and utility shutoff resides in the top 5.4% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity registers in the top 5.9% nationally, transportation rests in the top 6.0% nationally, and diabetes stands in the top 7.0% nationally. Modeled high blood pressure lies in the top 6.5% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 31901, 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
healthier than 73%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 16%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Disability
healthier than 9%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 16%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 18%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 23%
8%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.00%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 26%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 20%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 23%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 23%
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
3 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 71.9 ± 1.0 years. A median household income of $50,061 predicts 77.3 years — 5.4 years below.
Ranked #5,646 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 71.9 ± 1.0 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.6 years — 4.7 years below them.
Ranked #3,286 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 38.1 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 71.9 ± 1.0 years.
Ranked #1,729 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
31905
Georgiashares a border
Score 55.58
Similar health profile
63137
Missouri99% similar profile
Score 27.95
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 | 30.8% | 27.4–34.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 47.7% | 43.4–52.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.1–13.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.7% | 8.7–10.8 |
| Depression among adults | 23.9% | 20.4–27.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 18.4% | 16.3–20.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.9% | 36.6–45.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 44.4% | 36.6–52.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.2% | 4.8–5.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 22.6% | 18.7–26.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.9% | 11.0–15.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.2% | 75.5–80.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.5% | 77.0–83.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.0% | 81.9–85.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.6% | 59.3–69.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 48.8% | 44.7–52.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.2% | 68.8–82.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.7% | 10.3–15.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.6% | 17.1–22.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 35.3% | 30.4–40.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 43.5% | 36.6–50.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 29.9% | 26.6–33.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.7% | 17.5–22.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.5% | 14.7–18.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.7% | 17.5–22.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 42.0% | 37.3–46.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 13.1% | 11.7–14.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 21.5% | 19.2–23.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.2–7.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.7% | 8.0–9.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 30.1% | 26.2–34.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 31.5% | 28.0–35.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 25.8% | 22.9–28.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.7% | 20.0–25.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 15.3% | 13.7–17.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 39.7% | 34.4–45.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 16.2% | 14.3–18.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 22.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 18.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 16.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 14.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 75.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.2% | 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 | 2.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 41.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 13.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 39.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $50,061 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $136,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $895 | $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 | 71.9 yr ± 0.52 | 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 0.52 years of 71.9, 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