ZIP code
48855
in Howell, MichiganPopulation 16,668
58.98/ 100
Ranked #5,608 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #142 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (top 14.6%)
Ranked #74 of 215 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ZIPs (top 34%)
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
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Grocery access
0.18 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
15 mi
in the top 12.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
9.2%
in the bottom 14.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
14.7%
in the bottom 12.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
9.5%
in the bottom 12.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
4.9%
in the bottom 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
2.8%
in the bottom 12.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
3.5%
in the bottom 10.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
31.4%
in the bottom 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS16thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, ZIP 48855, one of several in Howell, Michigan sits in the top 17% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,608th) and the top 14.6% of Michigan (142nd).
The profile cuts both ways, and the readings bear that out: grocery sits in the top 8.7% nationally, modeled housing insecurity registers in the bottom 11.4% nationally, and elder services lands in the top 12.8% nationally. Distance to a nursing home resides at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Modeled short sleep lies in the bottom 14.0% nationally, and transportation settles in the bottom 13.7% nationally. Modeled food insecurity stands in the bottom 14.1% nationally, and fair or poor health is in the bottom 12.3% nationally. Working the other way, distance to a Superfund site rests at the national minimum, and distance to a community health center sits in the top 12.3% nationally.
In plain language, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. ZIP 48353, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 75%
11%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 37%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 18%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 85%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 83%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 75%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 76%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Disability
healthier than 88%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 12%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 73%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 69%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Disability
healthier than 68%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 3%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
48353
Michiganshares a border
Score 61.12
Closest healthier
48843
Michiganshares a border
Score 59.63
Similar health profile
01518
Massachusetts99% similar profile
Score 60.63
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% | 25.2–29.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.4% | 28.7–34.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.9–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 10.1–12.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.5 |
| Depression among adults | 25.9% | 23.0–28.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.5% | 8.3–10.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.1% | 32.2–38.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.5% | 28.6–36.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.8% | 6.4–9.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.9% | 4.1–5.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.0% | 74.1–79.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.2% | 77.5–82.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.0% | 87.5–90.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.2% | 67.4–75.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 74.7% | 72.1–77.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.5% | 72.9–83.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.1% | 15.6–20.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.7% | 11.0–14.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.1% | 18.5–23.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.9% | 26.8–35.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.7% | 13.0–16.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.6–18.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–13.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.3% | 11.0–13.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.8% | 23.0–28.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.5–12.1 |
| 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 | 20.8% | 17.7–24.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.2% | 7.6–11.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.3–9.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.3–9.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.7–6.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.0% | 25.8–34.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.6–6.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 36.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.9% | 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 | 2.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 54.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 16.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 39.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $108,442 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $344,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,501 | $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 | 80.3 yr ± 0.81 | 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 0.81 years of 80.3, 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