ZIP code
48843
in Howell, MichiganPopulation 48,014
59.63/ 100
Ranked #5,126 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 16%)
Ranked #131 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (top 13.5%)
Ranked #71 of 215 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ZIPs (top 33%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
Under 0.1 mi
in the bottom 3.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
458 units
in the top 5.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
59.4%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Tooth loss
7.1%
in the bottom 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
10.6%
in the bottom 11.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
9.2%
in the bottom 10.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
14.6%
in the bottom 11.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Mammography
79.6%
in the top 13.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS86thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 48843, one of several in Howell, Michigan, overall, ranks in the top 16% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,126th) and the top 13.5% of Michigan (131st).
This area's most favorable readings come through plainly in the numbers: subsidized affordable housing lies in the top 5.0% nationally. Distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled tooth loss rests in the bottom 8.7% nationally, and housing insecurity registers in the bottom 13.3% nationally. Distance to a nursing home resides at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Modeled mobility disability settles in the bottom 11.9% nationally. On the other side, distance to a Superfund site is in the bottom 3.7% nationally, and modeled expected annual loss sits in the top 5.8% nationally. Modeled disaster risk lands in the top 7.6% nationally, and pfas lies in the top 8.2% nationally.
Measured against the nearby ZIPs, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. ZIP 48114, just across the boundary, comes out 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 77%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 75%
11%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 88%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 75%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 76%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
Disability
healthier than 88%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 54%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 77%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 68%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 20%
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
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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 26.8; chronic-disease standing 76.9 — 50 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #14,384 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
48114
Michiganshares a border
Score 61.78
Closest healthier
48116
Michiganshares a border
Score 62.88
Similar health profile
49316
Michigan99% similar profile
Score 59.87
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 | 26.9% | 24.6–29.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.7% | 28.0–33.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.5% | 8.7–10.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.3% | 10.2–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.3 |
| Depression among adults | 26.2% | 23.4–29.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.4% | 31.6–37.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.5% | 28.4–36.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.1% | 5.8–8.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.0% | 4.2–5.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.5% | 73.7–79.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.9% | 77.2–82.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.4% | 86.9–89.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.6% | 67.9–75.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 74.3% | 71.7–76.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.6% | 74.2–84.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.2% | 15.7–20.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.3% | 10.8–14.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.9% | 18.3–23.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.3% | 27.2–35.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.6% | 13.0–16.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.5% | 14.8–18.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.3% | 11.0–13.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–13.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.6% | 22.9–28.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.4–11.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.5% | 17.5–23.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 7.9–11.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.9% | 6.7–9.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.5–9.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 5.0–6.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.2% | 26.1–34.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.8–6.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 38.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 52.6% | 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 | 42.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $94,577 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $348,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,313 | $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 | 80.0 yr ± 0.55 | 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 0.55 years of 80.0, 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