ZIP code
48122
in Melvindale, MichiganPopulation 12,554
27.88/ 100
Ranked #31,117 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 3.0%)
Ranked #962 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 1.2%)
Ranked #207 of 215 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ZIPs (bottom 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.
Independent-living disability
15.7%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Fair or poor health
34.3%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
7.7%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
10.4%
in the top 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
22.7%
in the top 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
19.7%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
36.6%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
18.3%
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
39.1%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
11.2%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›The read
Melvindale, Michigan (ZIP 48122), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 3.0% nationally (31,117th) and the bottom 1.2% of Michigan (962nd).
A demanding profile, and several measures drive it: modeled independent living disability sits in the top 1.9% nationally, fair or poor health stands in the top 3.2% nationally, and self-care disability resides in the top 3.6% nationally. Modeled vision disability sits in the top 4.1% nationally, cognitive disability stands in the top 2.8% nationally, and utility shutoff resides in the top 2.7% nationally. Modeled food insecurity sits in the top 2.9% nationally, and transportation stands in the top 3.1% nationally. Poverty resides in the top 3.3% nationally, and crowded housing sits in the top 3.8% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 48101, 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area.
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 88%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 16%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 4%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 1%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 2%
8%
Disability
healthier than 3%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 61%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 12%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 1.0%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 1%
8%
Disability
healthier than 3%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 1%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 5%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
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
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 73.6 ± 2.3 years. A median household income of $42,185 predicts 76.7 years — 3.1 years below.
Ranked #4,267 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
48101
Michiganshares a border
Score 56.26
Closest healthier
48120
Michiganshares a border
Score 40.36
Similar health profile
18201
Pennsylvania99% similar profile
Score 32.07
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 | 30.1% | 28.0–32.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.7% | 37.2–42.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.8% | 6.2–7.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 13.0% | 11.8–14.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.9% | 8.0–9.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 13.8% | 12.2–15.3 |
| Depression among adults | 29.1% | 26.4–31.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.9% | 14.3–17.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.5% | 34.1–39.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.8% | 37.2–44.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 24.1% | 20.8–27.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 14.9% | 12.6–17.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.7% | 71.2–75.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.7% | 74.0–79.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 80.1% | 77.9–82.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 56.9% | 53.3–60.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 50.1% | 47.3–52.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 70.2% | 64.8–75.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.8% | 12.9–16.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 25.7% | 22.7–28.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 38.9% | 35.1–42.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 42.7% | 39.4–45.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 34.3% | 31.1–37.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 24.5% | 22.3–26.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 20.5% | 18.5–22.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 22.7% | 20.3–25.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 43.4% | 39.8–47.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.0% | 8.0–10.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 15.7% | 14.0–17.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 21.5% | 19.3–23.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 10.4% | 9.4–11.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.7% | 24.8–31.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 36.6% | 32.8–40.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 39.0% | 35.0–43.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.2% | 22.5–28.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 18.3% | 16.3–20.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.0% | 31.7–38.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 19.7% | 17.6–22.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 39.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 28.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 14.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 42.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 11.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 22.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 24.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 10.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 31.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $42,185 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $125,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,110 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $972 ($719–$1,368) n=849 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 73.6 yr ± 1.16 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 78.6 yr (75.7–81.6) n=940 |
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 1.16 years of 73.6, 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