ZIP code
38122
in Memphis, TennesseePopulation 26,021
32.39/ 100
Ranked #30,208 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 5.8%)
Ranked #561 of 616 Tennessee ZIPs (bottom 9.0%)
Ranked #68 of 81 Memphis, TN-MS-AR 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.
Uninsured (under 65)
23.6%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
23.8%
in the top 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
10.5%
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
14.2%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS97thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Transit access
6.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops 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 ›Fair or poor health
32%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
7.1%
in the top 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
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 ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, ZIP 38122, one of several in Memphis, Tennessee ranks in the bottom 5.8% nationally (30,208th) and the bottom 9.0% of Tennessee (561st).
Where this area bears down hardest, the measures speak first: modeled uninsured stands in the top 2.7% nationally, and cognitive disability settles in the top 1.7% nationally. Modeled vision disability lies in the top 3.9% nationally, and independent living disability resides in the top 3.8% nationally. Modeled industrial-pollution burden lands in the top 2.9% nationally, expected annual loss registers in the top 3.2% nationally, and fair or poor health sits in the top 5.3% nationally. Modeled self-care disability rests in the top 5.4% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk is in the top 4.5% nationally. On the encouraging side, transit stands in the top 3.3% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 38111, 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
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 29%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 5%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 28%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 65%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 2%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 6%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 29%
8%
Disability
healthier than 8%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 20%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 35%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 16%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 22%
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 74.2 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $48,710 predicts 77.2 years — 3.0 years below.
Ranked #4,154 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, 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 74.2 ± 1.2 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
38108
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 20.87
Closest healthier
38111
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 40.92
Similar health profile
37407
Tennessee99% similar profile
Score 22.74
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 | 26.2% | 23.7–28.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.0% | 36.6–43.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.2–12.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.8% | 9.9–11.9 |
| Depression among adults | 28.4% | 25.0–31.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.8% | 14.9–18.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.7% | 34.2–41.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.3% | 36.3–46.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.5% | 4.1–4.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 24.3% | 20.9–28.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 23.6% | 21.1–26.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.0% | 69.1–74.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.3% | 73.0–79.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.1% | 79.0–83.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 55.7% | 51.1–60.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 45.3% | 42.0–48.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.1% | 65.3–78.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.1% | 12.6–17.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 23.6% | 21.1–26.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 35.0% | 31.2–38.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.0% | 36.6–45.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 32.0% | 29.1–34.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 22.1% | 19.9–24.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.1% | 16.3–20.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 23.8% | 21.7–26.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 43.5% | 39.7–47.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–8.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.9–15.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.9% | 18.9–23.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.5–7.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.7–11.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 26.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.1–26.1%) n=609 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 39.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.0% (5.9–24.0%) n=615 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 26.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (4.2–19.5%) n=613 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 23.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.0% (10.0–42.6%) n=613 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.0% (0.4–9.6%) n=613 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.3–10.1%) n=608 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.7% (76.0–94.9%) n=608 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 39.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.4% (11.8–33.6%) n=608 |
| Homeownership rate | 52.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.7% (53.4–91.5%) n=608 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 6.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.5%) n=608 |
| Foreign-born population | 24.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.0–8.3%) n=617 |
| Single-parent households | 30.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.6% (39.1–68.7%) n=608 |
| Population 65+ | 11.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.5–27.9%) n=617 |
| Median age | 30.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.8–52.5) n=615 |
| Median household income | $48,710 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $61,577 ($42,745–$94,822) n=594 |
| Median home value | $123,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,100 ($120,900–$397,120) n=593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,144 | $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 | 74.2 yr ± 0.61 | 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 0.61 years of 74.2, 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