ZIP code
36879
in Waverly, AlabamaPopulation 2,826
59.30/ 100
Ranked #5,367 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #30 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (top 4.9%)
Ranked #1 of 15 Auburn-Opelika, AL ZIPs (top 6.7%)
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
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 ›Poverty rate
1.7%
in the bottom 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
90.3%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
2.3 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 9.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST11thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
10.1%
in the bottom 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
67.5%
in the top 10.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Mammography
80.7%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
14.2 mi
in the top 13.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
5.6%
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS17thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
2.3%
in the bottom 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS20thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Waverly, Alabama (ZIP 36879) sits in the top 17% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,367th) and the top 4.9% of Alabama (30th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: modeled arsenic sits in the bottom 2.2% nationally, poverty registers in the bottom 6.3% nationally, and housing-cost burden lands in the bottom 9.6% nationally. Modeled tree cover resides in the top 10.5% nationally, modeled mammography lies in the top 7.8% nationally, and fiber broadband settles in the top 11.2% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site stands in the top 13.4% nationally. Working the other way, PFOA in drinking water is in the top 8.5% nationally, and walkability rests in the bottom 9.0% nationally. Distance to a community health center sits in the top 13.2% nationally.
In plain language, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. ZIP 31808, about 20 miles away, ranks healthier 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 Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 72%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 81%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 81%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 74%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 13%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 92%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 94%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 72%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 91%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 93%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 92%
8%
Disability
healthier than 94%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 68%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 3%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.00%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 71%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 93%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 93%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 93%
8%
Disability
in the top 0.00%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 86%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
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
36801
Alabamashares a border
Score 47.92
Closest healthier
31808
Georgiaabout 20 mi away
Score 62.16
Similar health profile
20714
Maryland99% similar profile
Score 60.69
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 | 25.9% | 23.5–28.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.5% | 34.4–40.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.4% | 6.8–8.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.4% | 8.4–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.6 |
| Depression among adults | 22.2% | 19.4–25.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.9% | 10.7–13.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.9% | 34.5–41.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.6% | 31.4–42.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.1% | 11.3–15.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.6–8.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.2% | 73.6–78.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.8% | 76.8–82.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.2% | 86.6–89.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.9% | 66.3–73.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.6% | 62.7–68.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.7% | 76.0–84.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.4% | 13.9–19.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.8% | 10.2–13.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.4% | 18.7–24.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.0% | 30.5–39.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.8% | 15.0–19.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.4–16.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.4% | 10.3–12.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.6% | 11.2–14.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.0% | 25.1–31.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–7.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.2–7.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.3% | 11.0–13.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.7% | 19.0–24.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.3% | 10.7–14.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 7.1–9.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.5–11.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.2% | 27.4–35.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.8–7.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 1.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 41.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 78.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 10.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 90.7% | 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 | 2.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.3% (0.0–6.2%) n=628 |
| Single-parent households | 48.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 16.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 46.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $93,029 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $325,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $764 | $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 | 78.5 yr ± 1.14 | 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 1.14 years of 78.5, 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