ZIP code
49006
in Kalamazoo, MichiganPopulation 26,507
47.77/ 100
Ranked #19,227 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 40%)
Ranked #646 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 34%)
Ranked #15 of 18 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI ZIPs (bottom 17%)
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
96.6%
in the top 0.02% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
27.4%
in the bottom 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
48.7%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
40.1%
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
35%
in the bottom 4.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST2ndUS4thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
490 units
in the top 4.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
26.4%
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
7.7%
in the bottom 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
29.7%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
4.5%
in the bottom 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 49006, one of several in Kalamazoo, Michigan ranks in the bottom 40% nationally (19,227th) and the bottom 34% of Michigan (646th).
Several readings make the pressure on this area plain: modeled pfas registers in the top 0.02% nationally, and housing-cost burden lies in the top 3.6% nationally. Modeled loneliness is in the top 4.0% nationally, and homeownership registers in the bottom 4.1% nationally. Poverty lies in the top 7.0% nationally. On the encouraging side, modeled high cholesterol is in the bottom 1.8% nationally, subsidized affordable housing registers in the top 4.6% nationally, and modeled high blood pressure lies in the bottom 4.0% nationally. Modeled diabetes is in the bottom 3.5% nationally, and coronary heart disease registers in the bottom 5.7% nationally.
Against its neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, 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. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 49004, 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 88%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 84%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 20%
13%
Mental Health
in the bottom 1.0%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 95%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 63%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 42%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 13%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.6%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
in the top 0.00%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 18%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 18%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.00%
8%
Disability
healthier than 18%
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
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 80.8 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $43,639 predicts 76.8 years — 4.0 years above.
Ranked #187 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 80.8 ± 1.4 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.4 years — 2.4 years above them.
Ranked #1,200 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 13.6; chronic-disease standing 88.4 — 75 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,811 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
49004
Michiganshares a border
Score 51.02
Closest healthier
49008
Michiganshares a border
Score 53.17
Similar health profile
28607
North Carolina97% similar profile
Score 50.95
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 | 19.0% | 17.4–20.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 26.4% | 24.1–28.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.4% | 5.0–5.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.5% | 11.2–13.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.5% | 4.1–5.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.7–7.1 |
| Depression among adults | 32.2% | 29.2–35.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 27.4% | 25.1–29.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.9% | 33.9–42.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.5% | 2.3–2.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.2% | 10.0–14.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.5% | 7.2–10.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 65.0% | 62.7–67.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.7% | 72.7–78.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 76.4% | 74.0–78.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.4% | 66.2–74.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.5% | 58.2–64.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.8% | 71.1–83.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.5% | 16.0–21.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.8% | 11.9–15.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.2% | 22.1–28.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.2% | 25.6–35.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.5% | 17.3–21.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 23.6% | 21.4–26.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.8% | 11.4–14.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 20.3% | 18.1–22.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.6% | 30.2–37.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.4–13.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.4–6.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.4% | 21.3–27.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 23.5% | 20.6–26.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 23.5% | 20.7–26.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.6% | 13.6–17.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 14.1% | 12.5–15.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 40.1% | 35.7–44.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 10.9–14.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 29.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 46.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 48.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 35.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 45.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 10.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 23.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $43,639 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $208,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $990 | $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 | 80.8 yr ± 0.70 | 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 0.70 years of 80.8, 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