ZIP code
37218
in Nashville, TennesseePopulation 15,292
39.76/ 100
Ranked #26,918 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 16%)
Ranked #343 of 616 Tennessee ZIPs (bottom 44%)
Ranked #102 of 110 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ZIPs (bottom 7.3%)
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.
Diabetes
19.4%
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Transit access
4.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops 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 ›Short sleep
43%
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
11.8%
in the bottom 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
39 per million
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›High blood pressure
47.3%
in the top 7.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Stroke
5.5%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
29.2%
in the top 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.7%
in the top 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS91stDefinition & 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
ZIP 37218, one of several in Nashville, Tennessee ranks in the bottom 16% nationally (26,918th) and the bottom 44% of Tennessee (343rd).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: transit lies in the top 5.8% nationally, and modeled binge drinking is in the bottom 5.8% nationally. Grocery registers in the top 7.2% nationally. By contrast, modeled diabetes lies in the top 4.8% nationally, short sleep is in the top 6.5% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk registers in the top 7.4% nationally. Modeled high blood pressure lies in the top 7.1% nationally, stroke is in the top 7.8% nationally, and fair or poor health registers in the top 9.9% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise lies in the top 9.2% nationally.
Against its neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 37015, 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN 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 68%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 49%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 15%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 40%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 7%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Disability
healthier than 16%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 27%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 42%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 34%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Disability
healthier than 37%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 17%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 78%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 66%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 5%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Disability
healthier than 4%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 6%
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 72.9 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $61,919 predicts 78.2 years — 5.2 years below.
Ranked #5,594 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 72.9 ± 1.4 years. The 40 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.9 years — 4.0 years below them.
Ranked #3,004 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 39.0 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 72.9 ± 1.4 years.
Ranked #1,617 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
37015
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 44.99
Closest healthier
37080
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 46.04
Similar health profile
38107
Tennessee98% similar profile
Score 32.79
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 | 34.4% | 31.4–37.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 47.3% | 43.8–50.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.4% | 11.0–13.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.7% | 7.0–8.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.3 |
| Depression among adults | 25.3% | 22.2–28.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 19.4% | 17.2–21.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.6% | 35.0–42.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.9% | 34.7–45.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 20.9% | 17.6–24.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.6% | 10.7–14.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.2% | 79.0–83.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.2% | 78.3–83.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.4% | 86.8–89.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.2% | 60.7–69.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 49.5% | 46.3–52.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.7% | 70.0–82.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 11.8% | 9.8–14.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.6% | 15.3–20.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 33.8% | 29.6–38.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 43.0% | 38.4–47.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 29.2% | 26.1–32.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.8% | 17.7–22.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.0% | 14.1–17.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.9% | 15.9–20.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 40.0% | 35.8–44.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.8% | 10.5–13.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 21.7% | 19.3–24.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–6.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–9.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 19.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.1–26.1%) n=609 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.0% (5.9–24.0%) n=615 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (4.2–19.5%) n=613 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.0% (10.0–42.6%) n=613 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.0% (0.4–9.6%) n=613 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.3–10.1%) n=608 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.7% (76.0–94.9%) n=608 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.4% (11.8–33.6%) n=608 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.7% (53.4–91.5%) n=608 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.5%) n=608 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.0–8.3%) n=617 |
| Single-parent households | 37.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.6% (39.1–68.7%) n=608 |
| Population 65+ | 18.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.5–27.9%) n=617 |
| Median age | 38.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.8–52.5) n=615 |
| Median household income | $61,919 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $61,577 ($42,745–$94,822) n=594 |
| Median home value | $349,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,100 ($120,900–$397,120) n=593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,381 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $908 ($659–$1,523) n=516 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 72.9 yr ± 0.70 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 75.1 yr (72.6–78.1) n=587 |
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 0.70 years of 72.9, 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