ZIP code
49008
in Kalamazoo, MichiganPopulation 16,137
53.17/ 100
Ranked #11,822 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 37%)
Ranked #349 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (top 36%)
Ranked #9 of 18 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI ZIPs (top 50%)
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.
Mental-health provider access
0.22 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics 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 ›Transit access
6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
28.6%
in the bottom 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
415 units
in the top 5.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
31.2%
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
1 mi
in the bottom 7.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Slow internet speeds
1.4%
in the top 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
5.3 ppb
in the top 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
US91stDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›Diabetes
8.4%
in the bottom 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
28.8%
in the bottom 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 49008, one of several in Kalamazoo, Michigan, by its composite score, sits in the top 37% healthiest ZIPs nationally (11,822nd) and the top 36% of Michigan (349th).
Where the data is kindest to this area, a few readings lead the way: mental-health providers registers in the top 3.6% nationally, and transit settles in the top 3.6% nationally. Distance to an emergency room sits at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled short sleep lies in the bottom 4.6% nationally, subsidized affordable housing rests in the top 5.7% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol resides in the bottom 4.9% nationally. Modeled diabetes is in the bottom 5.7% nationally. On the other hand, distance to a Superfund site lands in the bottom 7.2% nationally, slow internet speeds stands in the top 8.1% nationally, and lead in tap water registers in the top 9.2% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 49002, 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 81%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 64%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 79%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 76%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 51%
13%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 91%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 68%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 81%
11%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 16%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 3%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 94%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 71%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 53%
11%
Disability
healthier than 53%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
“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 17.2; chronic-disease standing 81.4 — 64 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,824 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
49001
Michiganshares a border
Score 43.29
Closest healthier
49002
Michiganshares a border
Score 57.83
Similar health profile
37909
Tennessee98% similar profile
Score 52.58
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 | 22.4% | 20.4–24.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 28.8% | 26.3–31.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.3% | 6.7–7.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.9% | 10.6–13.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.7–7.1 |
| Depression among adults | 30.6% | 27.5–33.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.4% | 7.4–9.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 31.2% | 28.7–33.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.4% | 33.3–41.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–2.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.9% | 9.8–14.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.4% | 6.3–8.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.3% | 67.9–72.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.8% | 75.0–80.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.2% | 79.0–83.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.5% | 68.3–76.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.9% | 63.8–70.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.7% | 72.1–84.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.9% | 15.5–20.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.4% | 10.7–14.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.2% | 20.3–26.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.6% | 24.2–33.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.6% | 15.6–19.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.8% | 18.7–22.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–13.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.2% | 15.3–19.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.8% | 27.7–34.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–6.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.9% | 8.8–11.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.7–5.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.2% | 19.3–25.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.8% | 16.3–21.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 18.4% | 15.9–21.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.8% | 11.0–14.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.3% | 9.9–12.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.6% | 32.5–40.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.7–11.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 55.7% | 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 | 7.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 55.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 16.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 33.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $74,943 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $218,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,052 | $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 unavailable for this ZIP — fewer than 80% of the census tracts that make it up could be matched across the 2010→2020 tract-boundary revision, so no value is published rather than an unreliable one. See how coverage gaps are handled. | |||
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