ZIP code
48327
in Waterford, MichiganPopulation 20,960
56.11/ 100
Ranked #8,154 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 25%)
Ranked #231 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (top 24%)
Ranked #96 of 215 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ZIPs (top 45%)
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
79.9%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were detected in EPA testing.
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 ›Transportation noise
11.5%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 11.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, ZIP 48327, one of several in Waterford, Michigan comes out in the top 25% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,154th) and the top 24% of Michigan (231st).
Both sides of the picture show up plainly in this area's numbers: lithium in drinking water sits in the bottom 11.5% nationally, subsidized affordable housing settles in the top 12.0% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol registers in the bottom 12.7% nationally. Physicians stands in the top 19% nationally, walkability lands in the top 20% nationally, and modeled mobility disability is in the bottom 20% nationally. By contrast, modeled pfas resides in the top 2.0% nationally, and PFAS in drinking water rests at the national maximum. Modeled transportation noise lies in the top 6.8% nationally, and expected annual loss sits in the top 11.1% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, 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. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 48324, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 71%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 69%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 87%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 37%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 81%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 75%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 73%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 79%
8%
Disability
healthier than 75%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 36%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 67%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 56%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Disability
healthier than 55%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
“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
3 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 76.9 ± 1.0 years. A median household income of $74,788 predicts 78.9 years — 2.1 years below.
Ranked #2,730 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 76.9 ± 1.0 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 79.4 years — 2.5 years below them.
Ranked #1,988 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 16.5; chronic-disease standing 70.7 — 54 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #14,825 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
48324
Michiganshares a border
Score 65.19
Closest healthier
48329
Michiganshares a border
Score 57.69
Similar health profile
49424
Michigan97% similar profile
Score 59.86
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 | 25.7% | 23.6–27.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.1% | 31.5–36.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.5% | 7.8–9.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.3–12.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–6.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Depression among adults | 24.0% | 21.5–26.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.8% | 31.2–36.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.6% | 30.1–37.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.1% | 8.3–12.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.5% | 5.5–7.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.8% | 74.3–79.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.5% | 77.0–81.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.9% | 86.4–89.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.1% | 65.8–72.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.9% | 65.3–70.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.0% | 68.7–79.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.7% | 14.5–19.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.1% | 12.3–16.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.5% | 19.0–24.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.9% | 29.8–36.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.3% | 15.4–19.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.6% | 15.9–19.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.1% | 11.8–14.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.9% | 12.5–15.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.7% | 24.0–29.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.9% | 10.6–13.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.3% | 4.0–4.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.8% | 18.9–24.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 11.5–15.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.8% | 10.0–13.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.1–12.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.5–8.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.3% | 28.6–36.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.6–8.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 72.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 8.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 53.9% | 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 | 40.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $74,788 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $257,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,113 | $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 | 76.9 yr ± 0.53 | 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 0.53 years of 76.9, 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