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ZipVitals

ZIP code

48235

in Detroit, MichiganPopulation 45,600

34.93/ 100

Ranked #29,424 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 8.3%)

Ranked #936 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 3.9%)

Ranked #193 of 215 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ZIPs (bottom 10.3%)

Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.

Robust across all 9 health domains

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

50.2%

in the top 0.3% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST99th
US99th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.

Full methodology ›

Self-care disability

8.2%

in the top 2.5% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST97th
US98th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.

Full methodology ›

Energy-cost burden

6.8%

in the top 1.3% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST99th
US99th
Definition & 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 ›

Utility shut-off threat

25%

in the top 0.8% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST98th
US99th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.

Full methodology ›

Stroke

6.6%

in the top 2.0% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST98th
US98th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.

Full methodology ›

Diabetes

20.6%

in the top 3.0% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST99th
US97th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Full methodology ›

Housing insecurity

30.2%

in the top 1.6% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST98th
US98th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.

Full methodology ›

Vision disability

10.3%

in the top 4.3% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST97th
US96th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.

Full methodology ›

Independent-living disability

14.3%

in the top 3.6% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST97th
US96th
Definition & 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 ›

Food insecurity

39.2%

in the top 2.1% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST98th
US98th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.

Full methodology ›

The read

By the composite measure, ZIP 48235, one of several in Detroit, Michigan sits in the bottom 8.3% nationally (29,424th) and the bottom 3.9% of Michigan (936th).

continue reading

The main burdens in the data show plainly and lead the picture: modeled short sleep lies in the top 0.3% nationally, self-care disability settles in the top 2.5% nationally, and energy burden stands in the top 1.3% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff is in the top 0.8% nationally, stroke rests in the top 2.0% nationally, and diabetes sits in the top 3.0% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity registers in the top 1.6% nationally, and vision disability lands in the top 4.3% nationally. Modeled independent living disability resides in the top 3.6% nationally, and food insecurity lies in the top 2.1% nationally.

In plain language, energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. ZIP 48221, 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.

Compare within

Lifting this score

Preventive Care

healthier than 74%

13%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 90%

5%

Healthcare Access

in the top 0.00%

5%

About typical

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 46%

14%

Holding it back

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 7%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

in the bottom 0.4%

16%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 5%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 23%

8%

Disability

healthier than 7%

7%

Lifting this score

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 67%

5%

Healthcare Access

in the top 0.00%

5%

About typical

Preventive Care

healthier than 42%

13%

Mental Health

healthier than 58%

8%

Holding it back

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 4%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 1%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 31%

14%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 5%

11%

Disability

healthier than 4%

7%

Lifting this score

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 60%

14%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 72%

5%

Healthcare Access

in the top 0.00%

5%

About typical

Mental Health

healthier than 41%

8%

Holding it back

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 4%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 4%

16%

Preventive Care

healthier than 37%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 12%

11%

Disability

healthier than 10%

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 72.0 ± 1.0 years. A median household income of $39,265 predicts 76.4 years — 4.4 years below.

    Ranked #5,301 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 72.0 ± 1.0 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.5 years — 4.6 years below them.

    Ranked #3,254 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.

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
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Arthritis among adults32.9%30.7–35.1
High blood pressure among adults50.7%48.2–53.4
Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults5.6%5.2–6.1
Current asthma among adults14.4%13.1–15.9
Coronary heart disease among adults8.4%7.6–9.1
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults10.8%9.8–11.8
Depression among adults21.3%19.2–23.6
Diagnosed diabetes among adults20.6%18.8–22.5
High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened35.6%33.1–38.2
Obesity among adults46.6%43.0–50.3
Stroke among adults6.6%6.1–7.1
All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years22.2%19.1–25.6
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years9.1%7.8–10.6
Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure80.2%78.3–82.1
Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults84.8%82.9–86.6
Cholesterol screening among adults87.7%86.3–89.0
Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years65.1%61.8–68.4
Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults53.8%51.0–56.5
Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years80.2%76.0–84.1
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Binge drinking among adults10.4%9.0–12.0
Current cigarette smoking among adults20.1%18.1–22.3
No leisure-time physical activity among adults38.0%35.0–41.2
Short sleep duration among adults50.2%46.9–53.5
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults32.2%29.8–34.8
Frequent mental distress among adults21.5%19.7–23.5
Frequent physical distress among adults17.5%16.0–19.2
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Cognitive disability among adults17.8%16.2–19.6
Any disability among adults40.4%37.5–43.4
Hearing disability among adults6.0%5.4–6.6
Independent living disability among adults14.3%13.1–15.6
Mobility disability among adults23.3%21.4–25.3
Self-care disability among adults8.2%7.5–8.8
Vision disability among adults10.3%9.5–11.1
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Lack of social and emotional support among adults33.5%30.2–36.8
Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults39.2%36.1–42.4
Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults42.6%39.5–45.8
Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults30.2%27.4–33.1
Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults19.5%17.7–21.5
Loneliness among adults36.7%33.4–40.2
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults25.0%22.7–27.4
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)MI median (p10–p90)
Poverty rate31.5%10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,36410.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974
Uninsured 18–6411.9%9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,2866.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975
No HS diploma (25+)10.8%7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,5056.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974
Bachelor's or higher (25+)14.8%23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,50522.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974
Unemployment rate (16+)13.2%3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,2744.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974
Households without a vehicle17.3%3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,3224.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973
Broadband subscription90.2%89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,32288.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973
Housing cost burden (≥30% income)42.3%23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,32222.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973
Homeownership rate53.5%78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,32285.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973
Crowded housing (>1 per room)1.6%1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,3221.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973
Foreign-born population1.4%2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,5531.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975
Single-parent households22.2%53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,08756.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970
Population 65+18.3%19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,55320.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975
Median age39.3 yr42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,29243.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974
Median household income$39,265$72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318$68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962
Median home value$90,000$222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049$192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952
Median gross rent$1,169$1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670$972 ($719–$1,368) n=849
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)MI median (p10–p90)
Life expectancy at birth71.9 yr ± 0.5178.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,30878.6 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 0.51 years of 71.9, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.

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