ZIP code
38585
in Spencer, TennesseePopulation 4,084
39.05/ 100
Ranked #27,361 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 14.7%)
Ranked #370 of 616 Tennessee ZIPs (bottom 40%)
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.
Elder-services access
0.23 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Tree cover
74%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
43.5%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
90.5 days/year
in the top 27% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS73rdDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
6.1%
in the top 30% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS70thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Spencer, Tennessee (ZIP 38585), by its overall standing, sits in the bottom 14.7% nationally (27,361st) and the bottom 40% of Tennessee (370th).
The profile opens balanced, with readings on either hand: elder services stands in the top 6.0% nationally, and modeled tree cover lands in the top 7.3% nationally. Distance to a community health center is at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Distance to a nursing home resides at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Floodplain exposure rests in the bottom 14.5% nationally, and distance to a hazardous-chemical facility lies in the top 16% nationally. By contrast, modeled high cholesterol sits in the top 8.6% nationally, and cognitive disability settles in the top 13.5% nationally. Modeled high blood pressure registers in the top 13.0% nationally, and mobility disability stands in the top 14.7% nationally.
Defined in plain terms, distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 38581, 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.
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 76%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 42%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 12%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 29%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 6%
8%
Disability
healthier than 17%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 93%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 47%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 29%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 37%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Disability
healthier than 39%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
37110
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 38.58
Closest healthier
38581
Tennesseeshares a border
Score 41.12
Similar health profile
37843
Tennessee99% similar profile
Score 37.03
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% | 33.6–41.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 44.8% | 40.1–49.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.5% | 9.5–11.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 9.9–12.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 12.0% | 10.4–13.7 |
| Depression among adults | 30.0% | 25.7–34.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.8% | 13.7–18.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 43.5% | 38.6–48.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.9% | 30.2–47.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.7% | 4.2–5.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 19.8% | 16.2–23.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.9% | 9.7–14.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.1% | 76.2–81.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.1% | 75.3–82.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.9% | 85.1–88.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.5% | 55.9–66.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 54.0% | 50.1–57.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 71.6% | 63.2–79.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.3% | 10.7–16.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 21.2% | 18.1–24.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.8% | 25.8–36.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.3% | 31.3–45.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.2% | 22.7–29.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.1% | 17.8–22.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.0% | 15.8–20.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.1% | 16.7–21.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 41.6% | 36.7–46.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.1% | 9.7–12.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.6% | 17.9–23.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TN median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.1–26.1%) n=609 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 18.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.0% (5.9–24.0%) n=615 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 17.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (4.2–19.5%) n=613 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 13.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 19.0% (10.0–42.6%) n=613 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.0% (0.4–9.6%) n=613 |
| Households without a vehicle | 9.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.3–10.1%) n=608 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.7% (76.0–94.9%) n=608 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 14.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.4% (11.8–33.6%) n=608 |
| Homeownership rate | 80.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.7% (53.4–91.5%) n=608 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.5% (0.0–4.5%) n=608 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.9% | 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+ | 23.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.0% (11.5–27.9%) n=617 |
| Median age | 47.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.3 yr (33.8–52.5) n=615 |
| Median household income | $48,015 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $61,577 ($42,745–$94,822) n=594 |
| Median home value | $152,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,100 ($120,900–$397,120) n=593 |
| Median gross rent | $700 | $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 | 73.5 yr ± 1.25 | 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 1.25 years of 73.5, 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