ZIP code
37643
in Elizabethton, TennesseePopulation 34,120
37.86/ 100
Ranked #28,099 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 12.4%)
Ranked #425 of 616 Tennessee ZIPs (bottom 31%)
Ranked #13 of 16 Johnson City, TN ZIPs (bottom 19%)
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.
Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Park land
40.4%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
42.7%
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
44.2%
in the top 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
68.9%
in the top 9.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST81stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
253 units
in the top 9.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Radon
2.7 pCi/L
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS84thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
83.2 days/year
in the top 32% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS68thDefinition & 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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20.2 per million
in the bottom 44% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS44thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Overall, Elizabethton, Tennessee (ZIP 37643) lands in the bottom 12.4% nationally (28,099th) and the bottom 31% of Tennessee (425th).
A number of measures mark where this area is under strain: modeled industrial-pollution burden registers in the top 1.2% nationally, and short sleep rests in the top 7.2% nationally. Modeled high cholesterol stands in the top 6.3% nationally, and cognitive disability lies in the top 12.6% nationally. On the brighter side, park land lands in the top 3.3% nationally. Distance to an emergency room sits at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled extreme heat is at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled tree cover settles in the top 9.7% nationally, and subsidized affordable housing resides in the top 9.8% nationally. Distance to a nursing home registers at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs.
Set beside the nearby areas, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 37601, 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 Johnson City, TN metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 64%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 13%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 16%
7%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 92%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 51%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 23%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 24%
8%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 50%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 43%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 36%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 7%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Disability
healthier than 36%
7%
“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
2 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 74.1 ± 0.9 years. A median household income of $51,831 predicts 77.5 years — 3.4 years below.
Ranked #4,590 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 74.1 ± 0.9 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.6 years — 2.5 years below them.
Ranked #1,971 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
37601
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 40.44
Closest healthier
37618
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 44.55
Similar health profile
25401
West Virginia100% similar profile
Score 36.14
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 | 37.5% | 33.7–41.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 44.6% | 40.2–49.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.2% | 9.3–11.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.1–12.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.3–10.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 11.7% | 10.5–13.0 |
| Depression among adults | 31.6% | 27.4–36.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.8% | 13.7–18.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 44.2% | 39.6–48.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.6% | 30.2–45.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 18.5% | 15.2–22.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.7% | 10.1–13.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.1% | 75.1–80.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.8% | 75.1–82.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.7% | 84.9–88.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.0% | 57.7–68.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 53.7% | 49.8–57.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.0% | 64.9–80.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.2% | 10.6–16.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 20.6% | 18.1–23.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.3% | 26.5–36.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 42.7% | 36.1–49.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.5% | 23.6–29.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.2% | 18.0–22.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.2% | 16.1–20.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.3% | 17.3–21.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 43.0% | 38.2–47.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.4% | 10.2–12.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.9% | 18.5–23.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.1–26.1%) n=609 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.0% (5.9–24.0%) n=615 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (4.2–19.5%) n=613 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 20.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.0% (10.0–42.6%) n=613 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.0% (0.4–9.6%) n=613 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.3–10.1%) n=608 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.7% (76.0–94.9%) n=608 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.4% (11.8–33.6%) n=608 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.7% (53.4–91.5%) n=608 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.5%) n=608 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.0–8.3%) n=617 |
| Single-parent households | 55.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.6% (39.1–68.7%) n=608 |
| Population 65+ | 21.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.5–27.9%) n=617 |
| Median age | 46.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.8–52.5) n=615 |
| Median household income | $51,831 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $61,577 ($42,745–$94,822) n=594 |
| Median home value | $166,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,100 ($120,900–$397,120) n=593 |
| Median gross rent | $732 | $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 | 74.1 yr ± 0.46 | 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 0.46 years of 74.1, 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