ZIP code
36908
in Gilbertown, AlabamaPopulation 1,795
37.52/ 100
Ranked #28,270 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 11.9%)
Ranked #476 of 619 Alabama ZIPs (bottom 23%)
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
0.86%
in the bottom 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
6.1%
in the bottom 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›High blood pressure
49.2%
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
45.8%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
22.8%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
142.8 days/year
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Fair or poor health
29.6%
in the top 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
8.6%
in the bottom 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
12.5%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Diabetes
17.8%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST70thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Gilbertown, Alabama (ZIP 36908) lands in the bottom 11.9% nationally (28,270th) and the bottom 23% of Alabama (476th).
Several measures weigh most on this area's profile, and they come first: modeled high blood pressure resides in the top 4.3% nationally, and high cholesterol registers in the top 3.0% nationally. Modeled mobility disability rests in the top 7.3% nationally, and humid heat stands in the top 6.6% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health lies in the top 9.1% nationally, independent living disability lands in the top 8.8% nationally, and diabetes sits in the top 8.8% nationally. On the better side, modeled arsenic is in the bottom 0.6% nationally, modeled pfas settles in the bottom 2.2% nationally, and housing-cost burden resides in the bottom 7.9% 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. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 36904, 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 95%
14%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 7%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 35%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 33%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Disability
healthier than 9%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 16%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 97%
14%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 57%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 20%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 12%
8%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 14%
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 95.4 (top 10%); chronic-disease standing 6.5 (bottom 10%) — 89 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #151 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
36524
Alabamashares a border
Score 36.17
Closest healthier
36904
Alabamashares a border
Score 38.62
Similar health profile
71960
Arkansas100% similar profile
Score 39.91
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 | 38.2% | 34.4–42.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 49.2% | 44.6–53.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.6% | 8.7–10.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.5–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.8% | 8.7–10.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 12.0% | 10.5–13.6 |
| Depression among adults | 26.4% | 22.6–30.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 17.8% | 15.6–20.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 45.8% | 41.0–50.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.7% | 34.1–51.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 22.1% | 18.2–26.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.0% | 9.0–13.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.0% | 78.2–83.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.0% | 77.5–84.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.2–87.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.3% | 57.6–68.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 50.0% | 45.8–54.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.7% | 64.4–79.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.0% | 10.5–15.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 20.5% | 17.4–23.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 35.1% | 29.9–40.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.0% | 32.0–46.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 29.6% | 25.9–33.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.9% | 16.7–21.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.2% | 16.0–20.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.1% | 16.8–21.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 44.1% | 39.0–48.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.7% | 9.5–12.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.5% | 11.0–14.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 22.8% | 19.9–25.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–6.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.5% | 21.7–29.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.4% | 19.1–25.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 18.0% | 15.3–20.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.5% | 12.4–16.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.5–12.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.5% | 30.2–41.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 9.1–12.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.4% (5.1–31.1%) n=623 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 13.7% (5.2–25.2%) n=625 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 13.2% (3.6–23.0%) n=626 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 12.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 16.9% (6.9–38.8%) n=626 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–11.0%) n=622 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.0% (0.0–12.1%) n=622 |
| Broadband subscription | 79.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.9% (68.8–94.9%) n=622 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 8.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.3% (10.1–35.0%) n=622 |
| Homeownership rate | 90.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.3% (54.7–92.5%) n=622 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.9% | 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 | 57.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (35.0–68.6%) n=617 |
| Population 65+ | 20.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.9–29.2%) n=628 |
| Median age | 40.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.3 yr (33.4–52.9) n=621 |
| Median household income | $68,125 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,896 ($37,738–$88,230) n=587 |
| Median home value | $111,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $160,950 ($87,300–$292,680) n=568 |
| Median gross rent | $983 | $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 | 75.0 yr ± 1.42 | 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 1.42 years of 75.0, 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