ZIP code
48879
in St. Johns, MichiganPopulation 18,413
52.91/ 100
Ranked #12,215 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 38%)
Ranked #367 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (top 38%)
Ranked #19 of 37 Lansing-East Lansing, MI ZIPs (bottom 49%)
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.
Arsenic in groundwater
30.8%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 13.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS87thDefinition & 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
13.4%
in the bottom 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS18thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Overall, St. Johns, Michigan (ZIP 48879) places in the top 38% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,215th) and the top 38% of Michigan (367th).
The clearest bright points in the data come first here: distance to an emergency room resides at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Distance to a nursing home is at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Modeled short sleep lands in the bottom 14.0% nationally, dental providers stands in the top 17% nationally, and modeled pfas registers in the bottom 18% nationally. Mental-health providers settles in the top 18% nationally. By contrast, modeled arsenic sits in the top 3.0% nationally, disaster risk lies in the top 13.0% nationally, and expected annual loss rests in the top 15% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility resides at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs.
For readers new to these terms, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 48820, 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 Lansing-East Lansing, 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 81%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 51%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Disability
healthier than 59%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 61%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 73%
11%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 41%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
5%
Lifting this score
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 69%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 61%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 47%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 22%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Disability
healthier than 36%
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 80.4 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $79,129 predicts 79.2 years — 1.3 years above.
Ranked #1,379 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 80.4 ± 1.1 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.7 years — 1.7 years above them.
Ranked #1,467 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
48806
Michiganshares a border
Score 46.01
Closest healthier
48820
Michiganshares a border
Score 62.34
Similar health profile
04989
Maine98% similar profile
Score 52.23
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 | 31.2% | 28.0–34.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.9% | 31.1–38.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.9% | 9.0–10.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.7% | 10.4–13.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.4–7.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.3 |
| Depression among adults | 28.1% | 24.4–32.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.1% | 9.7–12.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.0% | 33.0–41.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.1% | 29.6–43.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.5% | 9.3–14.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.2% | 5.3–7.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.8% | 75.0–80.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.5% | 77.2–83.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.7% | 86.1–89.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.4% | 65.9–74.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.3% | 67.2–73.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.5% | 69.1–82.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.8% | 13.9–19.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.5% | 12.5–16.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.6% | 19.9–27.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.9% | 25.4–36.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.0% | 15.7–20.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.7% | 15.7–19.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.2% | 12.6–16.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.4% | 12.7–16.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.9% | 27.0–35.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.3–16.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.1–4.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.5% | 19.0–26.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.7% | 10.7–14.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.6% | 9.8–13.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.9% | 8.4–11.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.2–8.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.4% | 27.5–37.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.2–8.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.1% | 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+) | 24.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.2% | 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) | 20.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.6% | 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 | 57.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 20.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 43.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $79,129 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $229,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $922 | $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 | 80.4 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 80.4, 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