ZIP code
37766
in La Follette, TennesseePopulation 18,554
32.50/ 100
Ranked #30,173 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 6.0%)
Ranked #557 of 616 Tennessee ZIPs (bottom 9.6%)
Ranked #64 of 72 Knoxville, TN ZIPs (bottom 11.2%)
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.
Cognitive disability
21.8%
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
13.2%
in the top 6.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Grocery access
0.22 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Mobility disability
22.8%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.2%
in the bottom 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Fair or poor health
29.8%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
23.9%
in the top 8.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
10.1%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Obesity
43.4%
in the top 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Radon
2.4 pCi/L
in the top 23% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS77thDefinition & 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 ›The read
La Follette, Tennessee (ZIP 37766), overall, ranks in the bottom 6.0% nationally (30,173rd) and the bottom 9.6% of Tennessee (557th).
This area's measures are easy to read as a mixed set: distance to an emergency room lands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Grocery lies in the top 6.1% nationally, and modeled arsenic stands in the bottom 7.2% nationally. Set against that, modeled cognitive disability rests in the top 4.2% nationally, and independent living disability registers in the top 6.1% nationally. Modeled mobility disability resides in the top 7.3% nationally, and fair or poor health settles in the top 8.7% nationally. Modeled tooth loss is in the top 8.9% nationally, and coronary heart disease sits in the top 9.0% nationally. Modeled hearing disability lands in the top 10.1% nationally.
Defined simply, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. ZIP 37705, just across the boundary, comes out 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 Knoxville, 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
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 6%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 27%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 16%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 2%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 43%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 14%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 16%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 15%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 66%
14%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Disability
healthier than 8%
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 71.7 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $50,063 predicts 77.3 years — 5.7 years below.
Ranked #5,693 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 71.7 ± 1.1 years. The 45 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 74.3 years — 2.6 years below them.
Ranked #2,018 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
37705
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 46.74
Closest healthier
37729
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 35.46
Similar health profile
41175
Kentucky100% similar profile
Score 37.88
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 | 37.6% | 33.7–41.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 45.1% | 40.6–49.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.9% | 9.0–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.8% | 10.4–13.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 10.1% | 9.1–11.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 13.8% | 12.4–15.2 |
| Depression among adults | 31.4% | 27.2–36.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.8% | 14.7–19.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.9% | 38.2–47.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.4% | 34.7–52.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.1% | 4.8–5.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 23.9% | 19.9–28.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.8% | 12.0–15.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.6% | 75.7–81.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.0% | 74.3–81.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.9% | 83.1–86.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.7% | 54.2–64.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 50.0% | 46.0–53.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 69.9% | 60.9–77.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.1% | 10.6–15.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 24.3% | 21.4–27.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 34.1% | 29.1–39.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.4% | 31.5–45.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 29.8% | 26.5–33.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 22.0% | 19.6–24.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 19.8% | 17.6–22.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 21.8% | 19.6–24.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 44.2% | 39.4–49.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.9% | 9.8–12.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 13.2% | 11.9–14.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 22.8% | 20.3–25.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.8% | 7.1–8.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 21.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.1–26.1%) n=609 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 14.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.0% (5.9–24.0%) n=615 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 18.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (4.2–19.5%) n=613 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 10.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.0% (10.0–42.6%) n=613 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.0% (0.4–9.6%) n=613 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.3–10.1%) n=608 |
| Broadband subscription | 76.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.7% (76.0–94.9%) n=608 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.4% (11.8–33.6%) n=608 |
| Homeownership rate | 62.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.7% (53.4–91.5%) n=608 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.5%) n=608 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.0–8.3%) n=617 |
| Single-parent households | 46.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.6% (39.1–68.7%) n=608 |
| Population 65+ | 20.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.5–27.9%) n=617 |
| Median age | 41.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.8–52.5) n=615 |
| Median household income | $50,063 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $61,577 ($42,745–$94,822) n=594 |
| Median home value | $187,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,100 ($120,900–$397,120) n=593 |
| Median gross rent | $756 | $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 | 71.7 yr ± 0.56 | 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 0.56 years of 71.7, 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