ZIP code
49022
in Benton Harbor, MichiganPopulation 29,460
30.25/ 100
Ranked #30,721 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 4.2%)
Ranked #957 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 1.7%)
Ranked #23 of 23 Niles, MI ZIPs (bottom 4.4%)
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.
Self-care disability
8.5%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
15.3%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
10.8%
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
1,043 units
in the top 1.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
45.8%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
22.1%
in the top 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full 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 ›Obesity
48.4%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Stroke
6.2%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
19.6%
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, Benton Harbor, Michigan (ZIP 49022) comes out in the bottom 4.2% nationally (30,721st) and the bottom 1.7% of Michigan (957th).
The data points to real strain across a number of measures here: modeled self-care disability lies in the top 2.0% nationally, independent living disability sits in the top 2.3% nationally, and vision disability settles in the top 3.4% nationally. Modeled short sleep registers in the top 2.2% nationally, modeled utility shutoff stands in the top 1.7% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site lands at the national minimum. Modeled obesity is in the top 1.3% nationally, and stroke resides in the top 3.2% nationally. Modeled diabetes rests in the top 4.4% nationally. On the brighter side, subsidized affordable housing lies in the top 1.3% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 49038, 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 Niles, 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 68%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 5%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 36%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 10%
8%
Disability
healthier than 3%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 3%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 4%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 4%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 19%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
in the bottom 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.00%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.00%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Disability
in the bottom 0.00%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
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
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 72.7 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $39,499 predicts 76.4 years — 3.7 years below.
Ranked #4,871 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 72.7 ± 1.1 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.4 years — 5.7 years below them.
Ranked #3,496 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
49038
Michiganshares a border
Score 47.72
Closest healthier
49047
Michiganshares a border
Score 46.14
Similar health profile
46218
Indiana99% similar profile
Score 29.10
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 | 34.5% | 31.3–37.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 47.3% | 43.5–51.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 14.0% | 12.5–15.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 12.7% | 11.5–13.9 |
| Depression among adults | 25.7% | 22.4–29.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 19.6% | 17.5–21.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.9% | 32.1–39.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 48.4% | 41.9–55.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 6.2% | 5.7–6.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 24.8% | 21.6–28.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.8% | 10.3–13.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.8% | 76.3–81.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.1% | 78.1–84.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.9% | 83.2–86.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.6% | 60.0–69.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 51.9% | 48.7–55.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.6% | 67.9–80.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.2% | 10.1–14.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 22.5% | 20.0–25.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 38.4% | 33.9–42.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 45.8% | 40.3–51.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 32.2% | 29.2–35.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 21.1% | 18.9–23.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 19.4% | 17.4–21.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 20.6% | 18.6–22.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 43.4% | 39.2–47.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 15.3% | 14.0–16.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 23.7% | 21.4–26.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.9–9.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.9–11.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.8% | 25.1–32.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 35.5% | 32.4–38.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 39.4% | 36.6–42.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.8% | 23.1–28.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 18.3% | 16.5–20.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.0% | 31.1–40.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 22.1% | 20.0–24.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 31.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 14.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 14.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 17.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 39.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 57.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 41.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 16.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 39.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $39,499 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $159,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $881 | $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 | 72.7 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 72.7, 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