ZIP code
49014
in Battle Creek, MichiganPopulation 21,980
46.43/ 100
Ranked #20,833 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 35%)
Ranked #722 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 26%)
Ranked #9 of 12 Battle Creek, MI ZIPs (bottom 25%)
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 ›PFAS in drinking water
65.7%
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
42.8%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS81stDefinition & 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 ›Radon
2.2 pCi/L
in the top 26% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS74thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, ZIP 49014, one of several in Battle Creek, Michigan stands in the bottom 35% nationally (20,833rd) and the bottom 26% of Michigan (722nd).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: distance to a community health center is at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Distance to a nursing home registers at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Dental providers lies in the top 16% nationally, and distance to an emergency room is in the bottom 18% nationally. By contrast, distance to a Superfund site registers at the national minimum, modeled pfas lies in the top 5.8% nationally, and modeled obesity is in the top 9.8% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility registers at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. Modeled utility shutoff lies in the top 19% nationally, and disaster risk is in the top 19% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. 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 hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. ZIP 49015, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 Battle Creek, MI metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 46%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 37%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 12%
8%
Disability
healthier than 35%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Disability
healthier than 28%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 73%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 36%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 27%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
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 ›
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 77.2 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $69,009 predicts 78.6 years — 1.4 years below.
Ranked #1,720 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
49015
Michiganshares a border
Score 50.55
Closest healthier
49017
Michiganshares a border
Score 46.96
Similar health profile
04073
Maine99% similar profile
Score 46.03
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 | 30.9% | 27.6–34.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.6% | 34.7–42.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.9% | 8.1–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.0% | 10.6–13.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Depression among adults | 27.6% | 24.0–31.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.6% | 32.6–40.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.8% | 36.1–49.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.9% | 9.6–14.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.4% | 7.2–9.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.9% | 74.1–79.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.3% | 76.0–82.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.8% | 84.1–87.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.2% | 64.7–73.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.2% | 62.8–69.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.8% | 67.6–81.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.4% | 12.7–18.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.1% | 15.7–20.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.9% | 23.9–32.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.0% | 28.6–39.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.5% | 19.0–24.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.1% | 17.0–21.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.4% | 13.7–17.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.6% | 14.8–18.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.1% | 31.1–39.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.2% | 9.1–11.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.8% | 13.8–17.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.5–6.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.0% | 20.6–27.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.9% | 16.6–21.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 19.4% | 17.2–21.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.0% | 12.2–16.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.9% | 8.8–11.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.6% | 28.9–38.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.5–12.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.9% | 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+ | 18.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 41.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $69,009 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $181,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,021 | $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 | 77.2 yr ± 0.68 | 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 0.68 years of 77.2, 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