ZIP code
38633
in Hickory Flat, MississippiPopulation 2,212
39.91/ 100
Ranked #26,824 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 16%)
Ranked #229 of 406 Mississippi ZIPs (bottom 44%)
Ranked #50 of 81 Memphis, TN-MS-AR ZIPs (bottom 38%)
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.
PFAS in drinking water
5.5%
in the bottom 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Fatal road crashes
49.7 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
67.3%
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST15thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
12.8%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Mammography
68.3%
in the bottom 8.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$33,029
in the bottom 2.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST11thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
27.3%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
66.3%
in the top 11.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Hickory Flat, Mississippi (ZIP 38633) ranks in the bottom 16% nationally (26,824th) and the bottom 44% of Mississippi (229th).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: modeled pfas rests in the bottom 1.6% nationally, and tree cover stands in the top 11.1% nationally. Set against that, fatal road crashes lies in the top 4.0% nationally, and home broadband subscription lands in the bottom 4.9% nationally. Unemployment sits in the top 5.5% nationally, modeled mammography is in the bottom 8.3% nationally, and household income settles in the bottom 2.7% nationally. Poverty resides in the top 8.6% nationally, modeled tooth loss registers in the top 10.4% nationally, and modeled high blood pressure rests in the top 11.4% nationally.
To spell things out, pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Close by, ZIP 38603, 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
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 87%
14%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 16%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Disability
healthier than 13%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 69%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 51%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 96%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 75%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 39%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Disability
healthier than 35%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 16%
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
One of our published findings lists 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.
Clean environment, heavy chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 87.4; chronic-disease standing 16.3 — 71 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #1,011 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
38603
Mississippishares a border
Score 41.88
Closest healthier
38610
Mississippishares a border
Score 41.69
Similar health profile
39641
Mississippi99% similar profile
Score 38.05
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 | 33.8% | 30.8–36.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 45.4% | 41.7–48.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.6–10.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 8.8–10.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.1% | 8.2–10.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 11.0% | 9.6–12.4 |
| Depression among adults | 21.7% | 18.8–24.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.7% | 13.9–17.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.9% | 39.1–46.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.2% | 33.5–47.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.9% | 4.5–5.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 23.0% | 19.5–27.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.3% | 10.1–14.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.5% | 78.3–82.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.0% | 77.1–82.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.1% | 83.2–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.9% | 56.3–65.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 8.3% | 7.1–9.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 68.3% | 60.8–75.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.6% | 12.4–17.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 20.0% | 17.3–22.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 35.2% | 30.7–39.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.0% | 29.4–40.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.3% | 23.2–29.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.9% | 16.1–19.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.0% | 15.1–18.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.2% | 17.0–21.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 41.8% | 37.5–46.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 10.4% | 9.3–11.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.2% | 9.9–12.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.9% | 18.4–23.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.4–7.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.3% | 23.6–30.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.6% | 16.9–22.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.4% | 9.6–13.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.7% | 11.9–15.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.1% | 30.4–39.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.8–10.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MS median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 27.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 19.9% (8.3–37.0%) n=406 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 26.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 16.8% (8.1–29.3%) n=410 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 25.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 14.4% (5.9–25.0%) n=411 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 8.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 18.0% (7.1–33.6%) n=411 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 12.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.8% (0.0–14.2%) n=411 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 5.5% (0.0–13.9%) n=405 |
| Broadband subscription | 67.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 79.7% (62.7–93.0%) n=405 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.7% (9.7–36.0%) n=405 |
| Homeownership rate | 57.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.2% (49.8–91.7%) n=405 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–5.0%) n=405 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.6% (0.0–4.4%) n=412 |
| Single-parent households | 58.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 46.9% (29.2–61.4%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 12.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.8% (11.7–26.2%) n=412 |
| Median age | 40.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.5 yr (30.5–49.6) n=411 |
| Median household income | $33,029 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $50,353 ($32,100–$72,379) n=377 |
| Median home value | $106,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $118,100 ($72,660–$219,420) n=374 |
| Median gross rent | $724 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $827 ($532–$1,130) n=319 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MS median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 73.4 yr ± 2.27 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 75.4 yr (72.7–79.0) n=405 |
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 2.27 years of 73.4, 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