ZIP code
48174
in Romulus, MichiganPopulation 32,211
48.79/ 100
Ranked #17,945 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 44%)
Ranked #583 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 40%)
Ranked #152 of 215 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ZIPs (bottom 29%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
436 units
in the top 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
4.9%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
42.2%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
5.5 ppb
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
US91stDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
12.4%
in the top 12.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
17.2%
in the top 14.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS86thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
5.9%
in the bottom 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS15thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 48174, one of several in Romulus, Michigan, in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 44% nationally (17,945th) and the bottom 40% of Michigan (583rd).
An even profile, with readings pulling both ways: subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 5.3% nationally, distance to an emergency room rests in the bottom 15% nationally, and modeled hearing disability settles in the bottom 15% nationally. Against that, outer-floodplain exposure lands in the top 7.4% nationally, modeled short sleep rests in the top 8.6% nationally, and lead in tap water settles in the top 8.7% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff lands in the top 12.9% nationally, and housing insecurity rests in the top 14.0% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss settles in the top 15.0% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility lands at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs.
Set within its surrounding area, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. 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. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 48111, 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 65%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 75%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 57%
21%
Disability
healthier than 54%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 67%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Disability
healthier than 55%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Disability
healthier than 38%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
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.
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 $67,056 predicts 78.5 years — 4.3 years below.
Ranked #5,253 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 74.2 ± 1.2 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.2 years — 2.1 years below them.
Ranked #1,627 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
48111
Michiganshares a border
Score 52.99
Closest healthier
48134
Michiganshares a border
Score 53.75
Similar health profile
17045
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 50.36
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 | 27.6% | 25.6–29.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.2% | 34.8–39.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.1% | 6.5–7.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.5% | 11.3–13.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.2–8.7 |
| Depression among adults | 24.7% | 22.4–27.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.3% | 11.0–13.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.5% | 32.1–37.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.1% | 32.8–39.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.5–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.2% | 11.2–15.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.2% | 6.2–8.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.4% | 72.9–77.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.1% | 77.8–82.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.4% | 85.9–88.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.4% | 63.1–69.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.2% | 61.6–66.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.7% | 73.2–82.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.5% | 13.5–17.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.2% | 14.5–18.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.8% | 24.2–29.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 42.2% | 38.9–45.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.5% | 19.6–23.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.1% | 18.3–21.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.4% | 13.1–15.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.1% | 13.7–16.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.4% | 28.8–34.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.5–10.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.9–15.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.9–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.4% | 5.0–5.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.6% | 24.8–30.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.7% | 18.6–23.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 19.2% | 17.1–21.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.2% | 15.4–19.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.8% | 30.5–37.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 11.0–13.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 45.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 15.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 37.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $67,056 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $162,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,058 | $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 | 74.2 yr ± 0.61 | 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 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