ZIP code
38109
in Memphis, TennesseePopulation 42,452
24.42/ 100
Ranked #31,522 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 1.7%)
Ranked #607 of 616 Tennessee ZIPs (bottom 1.5%)
Ranked #75 of 81 Memphis, TN-MS-AR ZIPs (bottom 7.5%)
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
26.4%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
9.9%
in the top 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Stroke
7.7%
in the top 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
13.0%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
16.7%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Mobility disability
29.5%
in the top 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
49.1%
in the top 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
57.1%
in the top 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
32.6%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
58.6 per million
in the top 0.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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
By the composite measure, ZIP 38109, one of several in Memphis, Tennessee sits in the bottom 1.7% nationally (31,522nd) and the bottom 1.5% of Tennessee (607th).
Where this area is stretched, the data is unambiguous: modeled diabetes lands in the top 0.3% nationally, self-care disability resides in the top 0.7% nationally, and stroke lies in the top 0.5% nationally. Modeled vision disability settles in the top 1.3% nationally, independent living disability stands in the top 1.2% nationally, and mobility disability is in the top 0.7% nationally. Modeled short sleep rests in the top 0.5% nationally, and high blood pressure sits in the top 0.5% nationally. Modeled tooth loss registers in the top 1.9% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk lands in the top 0.4% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. ZIP 38116, just across the boundary, ranks 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR 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 85%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 1%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.5%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 40%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 1%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 69%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 85%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 1%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.2%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Disability
healthier than 1%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 2%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 65%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 3%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 22%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 1%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Disability
healthier than 4%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 9%
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 71.1 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $37,496 predicts 76.2 years — 5.1 years below.
Ranked #5,571 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 71.1 ± 1.1 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 75.1 years — 4.1 years below them.
Ranked #3,046 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 58.6 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 71.1 ± 1.1 years.
Ranked #54 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
38106
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 20.21
Closest healthier
38116
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 33.42
Similar health profile
63353
Missouri98% similar profile
Score 38.85
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 | 35.1% | 32.0–38.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 57.1% | 53.5–60.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 13.7% | 12.1–15.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.8% | 8.9–10.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 12.9% | 11.7–14.3 |
| Depression among adults | 23.3% | 20.3–26.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 26.4% | 23.8–29.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.1% | 37.4–44.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 49.8% | 44.3–54.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 7.7% | 7.1–8.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 32.6% | 28.0–37.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.8% | 13.7–18.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.5% | 79.3–83.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 84.8% | 82.4–86.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.9% | 85.3–88.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.7% | 58.2–67.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 41.1% | 37.8–44.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.5% | 72.4–83.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 9.5% | 7.9–11.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 24.8% | 22.1–27.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 40.5% | 36.4–44.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 49.1% | 44.4–53.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 36.8% | 33.6–40.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 21.7% | 19.5–23.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 19.2% | 17.3–21.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 22.5% | 20.3–24.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 48.4% | 44.4–52.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 16.7% | 15.2–18.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 29.5% | 26.9–32.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 9.9% | 9.1–10.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 13.0% | 12.0–14.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 32.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.1–26.1%) n=609 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 23.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.0% (5.9–24.0%) n=615 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (4.2–19.5%) n=613 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 14.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.0% (10.0–42.6%) n=613 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 15.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.0% (0.4–9.6%) n=613 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.3% | 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) | 40.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.4% (11.8–33.6%) n=608 |
| Homeownership rate | 55.7% | 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 | 0.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.0–8.3%) n=617 |
| Single-parent households | 29.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.6% (39.1–68.7%) n=608 |
| Population 65+ | 18.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.5–27.9%) n=617 |
| Median age | 38.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.8–52.5) n=615 |
| Median household income | $37,496 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $61,577 ($42,745–$94,822) n=594 |
| Median home value | $80,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,100 ($120,900–$397,120) n=593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,040 | $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 | 71.1 yr ± 0.55 | 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 0.55 years of 71.1, 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