ZIP code
37318
in Cowan, TennesseePopulation 2,103
34.35/ 100
Ranked #29,603 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 7.7%)
Ranked #519 of 616 Tennessee ZIPs (bottom 16%)
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
ST2ndUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
3.2%
in the top 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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 ›Cognitive disability
20.4%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
29.3%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
42.2%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
22.1%
in the top 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
10.3%
in the top 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
17.6 mi
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the bottom 10.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS10thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
47.6%
in the top 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS85thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Overall, Cowan, Tennessee (ZIP 37318) places in the bottom 7.7% nationally (29,603rd) and the bottom 16% of Tennessee (519th).
The data opens on a genuinely even set of readings: modeled arsenic is in the bottom 2.2% nationally, and disaster risk lands in the bottom 10.3% nationally. On the other side, modeled nitrate stands in the top 5.0% nationally, and cognitive disability registers in the top 7.8% nationally. Poverty settles in the top 7.3% nationally, modeled short sleep sits in the top 8.6% nationally, and modeled mobility disability lies in the top 9.3% nationally. Unemployment rests in the top 9.1% nationally, distance to a community health center resides in the top 9.8% nationally, and modeled independent living disability is in the top 10.8% nationally.
For readers new to these terms, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 37324, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 50%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 18%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 3%
8%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 11%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 44%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 27%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Disability
healthier than 23%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 5%
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
37324
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 35.93
Closest healthier
37375
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 51.93
Similar health profile
38486
Tennessee100% similar profile
Score 32.42
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 | 36.6% | 33.0–40.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 45.5% | 41.2–49.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.8% | 10.3–13.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 12.4% | 10.6–14.2 |
| Depression among adults | 31.0% | 26.9–35.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.9% | 14.7–19.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.3% | 37.9–46.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.9% | 31.5–46.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 20.2% | 16.9–24.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.9% | 10.3–16.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.9% | 76.0–81.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.9% | 75.3–82.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.6% | 83.4–87.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.9% | 55.5–66.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 50.2% | 46.3–54.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.6% | 64.2–80.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.0% | 10.6–15.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 22.6% | 19.0–26.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 34.1% | 28.6–39.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 42.2% | 35.3–49.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 28.4% | 24.4–32.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.9% | 18.3–23.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.4% | 15.9–20.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 20.4% | 17.7–23.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 43.1% | 37.7–48.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.8% | 8.6–11.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.1% | 10.4–13.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 22.1% | 18.8–25.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.4–8.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 29.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.1–26.1%) n=609 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 17.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.0% (5.9–24.0%) n=615 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 15.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (4.2–19.5%) n=613 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 12.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.0% (10.0–42.6%) n=613 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 10.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.0% (0.4–9.6%) n=613 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.3–10.1%) n=608 |
| Broadband subscription | 84.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.7% (76.0–94.9%) n=608 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.4% (11.8–33.6%) n=608 |
| Homeownership rate | 63.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.7% (53.4–91.5%) n=608 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.5%) n=608 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.0–8.3%) n=617 |
| Single-parent households | 40.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.6% (39.1–68.7%) n=608 |
| Population 65+ | 19.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.5–27.9%) n=617 |
| Median age | 36.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.8–52.5) n=615 |
| Median household income | $52,125 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $61,577 ($42,745–$94,822) n=594 |
| Median home value | $177,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,100 ($120,900–$397,120) n=593 |
| Median gross rent | $781 | $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 | 70.7 yr ± 1.22 | 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 1.22 years of 70.7, 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