ZIP code
48221
in Detroit, MichiganPopulation 41,392
41.72/ 100
Ranked #25,457 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 21%)
Ranked #880 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 9.6%)
Ranked #181 of 215 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 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.
Short sleep
47.1%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
21.3%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
5.9%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
0.00%
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
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 ›Housing insecurity
26.1%
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
17%
in the top 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
7.0%
in the top 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
33.1%
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Stroke
5.8%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, ZIP 48221, one of several in Detroit, Michigan ranks in the bottom 21% nationally (25,457th) and the bottom 9.6% of Michigan (880th).
A number of measures mark where this area is under strain: modeled short sleep is in the top 1.3% nationally, and utility shutoff settles in the top 1.9% nationally. Modeled energy burden resides in the top 3.0% nationally, and housing insecurity registers in the top 3.4% nationally. Modeled transportation rests in the top 4.1% nationally, self-care disability stands in the top 5.9% nationally, and food insecurity lies in the top 4.4% nationally. Modeled stroke lands in the top 5.3% nationally, and tree cover sits at the national minimum. On the brighter side, floodplain exposure is at the national minimum.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". Close by, ZIP 48220, 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 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 84%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 90%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 57%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 17%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 1%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Disability
healthier than 16%
7%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 14%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Disability
healthier than 9%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 75%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 52%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 50%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Disability
healthier than 14%
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 73.5 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $57,878 predicts 77.9 years — 4.4 years below.
Ranked #5,290 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 73.5 ± 1.4 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 75.4 years — 1.9 years below them.
Ranked #1,547 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
48203
Michiganshares a border
Score 32.20
Closest healthier
48220
Michiganshares a border
Score 63.29
Similar health profile
21229
Maryland96% similar profile
Score 45.93
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 | 30.6% | 28.6–32.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 47.2% | 44.7–49.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 13.9% | 12.6–15.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.9–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.4–10.1 |
| Depression among adults | 21.3% | 19.3–23.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 18.2% | 16.6–19.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.6% | 32.2–37.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.4% | 40.0–47.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.8% | 5.4–6.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 17.7% | 15.2–20.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.1% | 7.0–9.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.4% | 77.5–81.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 84.3% | 82.3–86.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.9% | 86.5–89.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.2% | 64.0–70.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.7% | 57.1–62.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.8% | 77.8–85.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 11.4% | 9.9–13.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.1% | 15.4–19.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 33.4% | 30.6–36.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 47.1% | 43.8–50.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 28.2% | 26.1–30.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.4% | 18.6–22.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.8% | 14.4–17.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.4% | 14.9–18.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.9% | 34.2–39.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.6–13.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.2% | 18.5–22.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.5–7.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.9% | 8.2–9.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 31.2% | 28.2–34.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 33.1% | 30.2–36.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 35.0% | 32.1–37.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 26.1% | 23.6–28.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 17.0% | 15.4–18.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.7% | 32.4–39.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 21.3% | 19.3–23.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 22.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 29.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 12.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 12.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 33.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 33.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 18.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 37.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $57,878 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $154,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,206 | $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 | 73.5 yr ± 0.71 | 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 0.71 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