ZIP code
38120
in Memphis, TennesseePopulation 13,309
63.79/ 100
Ranked #2,578 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 8.1%)
Ranked #7 of 616 Tennessee ZIPs (top 1.2%)
Ranked #3 of 81 Memphis, TN-MS-AR ZIPs (top 3.8%)
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.
Physician access
7.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices located 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 ›Dental provider access
2.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices located 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 ›Grocery access
0.28 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & 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
40 per million
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Park land
31%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Elder-services access
0.28 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
7.2%
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Tooth loss
4.6%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Mammography
81.7%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, ZIP 38120, one of several in Memphis, Tennessee lands in the top 8.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,578th) and the top 1.2% of Tennessee (7th).
Neither strongly one way nor the other, the measures sit mixed: physicians lies in the top 0.5% nationally, and dental providers resides in the top 0.6% nationally. Grocery lands in the top 4.2% nationally, and park land registers in the top 4.5% nationally. Elder services sits in the top 5.1% nationally. Distance to an emergency room rests at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled tooth loss is in the bottom 1.5% nationally. Against that, modeled air-toxics cancer risk stands in the top 4.5% nationally, outer-floodplain exposure settles in the top 5.2% nationally, and modeled industrial-pollution burden lies in the top 5.5% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, physicians runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 38138, 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 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 97%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 95%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 66%
8%
Disability
healthier than 90%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 13%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 98%
16%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 99%
11%
Mental Health
in the top 0.7%
8%
Disability
healthier than 97%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 94%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 99%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 97%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 86%
8%
Disability
healthier than 99%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
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
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.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 81.0 ± 1.5 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 75.6 years — 5.5 years above them.
Ranked #84 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 40.0 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 81.0 ± 1.5 years.
Ranked #504 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
38018
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 56.19
Closest healthier
38138
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 64.25
Similar health profile
28117
North Carolina99% similar profile
Score 64.53
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 | 27.0% | 24.4–29.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.5% | 32.2–38.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.4% | 9.5–11.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.4% | 8.4–10.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.1–6.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.5–6.1 |
| Depression among adults | 24.6% | 21.6–27.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.3% | 9.0–11.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.3% | 36.5–43.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 28.0% | 23.9–32.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 4.6% | 3.6–5.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.0% | 5.0–7.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.9% | 75.1–80.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.3% | 78.5–83.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 91.0% | 89.7–92.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.7% | 68.9–76.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 73.3% | 70.5–76.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.7% | 76.3–86.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.4% | 13.8–19.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.0% | 7.6–10.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 15.9% | 13.4–18.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 29.8% | 26.0–33.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.8% | 11.0–14.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.9% | 12.3–15.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.4% | 23.4–29.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.3–12.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.3% | 2.0–2.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.1–26.1%) n=609 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.0% (5.9–24.0%) n=615 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (4.2–19.5%) n=613 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 70.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.0% (10.0–42.6%) n=613 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.0% (0.4–9.6%) n=613 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.3–10.1%) n=608 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.7% (76.0–94.9%) n=608 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.4% (11.8–33.6%) n=608 |
| Homeownership rate | 71.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.7% (53.4–91.5%) n=608 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.5%) n=608 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.0–8.3%) n=617 |
| Single-parent households | 57.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.6% (39.1–68.7%) n=608 |
| Population 65+ | 22.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.5–27.9%) n=617 |
| Median age | 44.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.8–52.5) n=615 |
| Median household income | $123,538 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $61,577 ($42,745–$94,822) n=594 |
| Median home value | $460,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,100 ($120,900–$397,120) n=593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,705 | $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 | 81.0 yr ± 0.78 | 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 0.78 years of 81.0, 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