ZIP code
49002
in Portage, MichiganPopulation 19,737
57.83/ 100
Ranked #6,541 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #172 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (top 18%)
Ranked #6 of 18 Kalamazoo-Portage, 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.
Short sleep
25.9%
in the bottom 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
71.9%
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.7 mi
in the bottom 6.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices located 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.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.7%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
248 units
in the top 10.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
72.6%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST75thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Transit access
2.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 12.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops 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.
Full methodology ›Child-care access
0.46 per 1,000 residents
in the top 12.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
94.9%
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS84thDefinition & 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 ›The read
ZIP 49002, one of several in Portage, Michigan, by its overall standing, sits in the top 20% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,541st) and the top 18% of Michigan (172nd).
The profile opens balanced, with readings on either hand: modeled short sleep stands in the bottom 0.7% nationally, dental providers lands in the top 6.4% nationally, and subsidized affordable housing is in the top 10.0% nationally. Pharmacy resides in the top 10.1% nationally, mental-health providers rests in the top 10.6% nationally, and modeled colon screening lies in the top 8.5% nationally. Transit sits in the top 12.5% nationally. By contrast, modeled pfas settles in the top 3.9% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site registers in the bottom 6.1% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise stands in the top 9.8% nationally.
Held up against its neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined 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. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 49024, 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 Kalamazoo-Portage, 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 69%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 74%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 91%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 89%
11%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 24%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 91%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 60%
8%
Disability
healthier than 81%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 6%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 71%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 76%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 65%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.00%
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
49001
Michiganshares a border
Score 43.29
Closest healthier
49024
Michiganshares a border
Score 60.87
Similar health profile
15139
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 64.13
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 | 27.8% | 25.6–30.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.8% | 30.1–35.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.8% | 8.9–10.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.1% | 10.0–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–6.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.7 |
| Depression among adults | 27.8% | 25.1–30.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.8% | 8.6–11.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.6% | 32.9–38.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.4% | 32.5–40.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.3% | 6.6–10.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.5% | 4.7–6.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.3% | 74.8–79.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.2% | 77.6–82.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.7% | 87.2–90.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.6% | 68.3–76.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 75.4% | 72.7–78.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.1% | 72.6–84.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.5% | 15.1–20.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.0% | 10.4–13.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.4% | 18.8–24.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 25.9% | 21.7–30.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.4% | 13.7–17.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.7% | 15.1–18.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.5% | 11.2–14.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.6% | 11.3–14.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.5% | 24.7–30.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–8.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.3–13.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.9% | 18.0–24.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.1% | 9.4–13.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.5–11.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.5–10.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.5–7.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.9% | 28.9–37.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.5–7.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 41.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.7% | 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 | 93.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 70.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.0% | 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+ | 19.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 39.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $73,647 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $246,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $962 | $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 | 78.7 yr ± 0.51 | 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 0.51 years of 78.7, 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