ZIP code
49028
in Bronson, MichiganPopulation 5,811
45.68/ 100
Ranked #21,680 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 32%)
Ranked #762 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 22%)
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 ›Radon
2.8 pCi/L
in the top 13.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS86thDefinition & 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
By the composite health measure, Bronson, Michigan (ZIP 49028) ranks in the bottom 32% nationally (21,680th) and the bottom 22% of Michigan (762nd).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: floodplain exposure registers in the bottom 14.1% nationally, and modeled air-toxics cancer risk rests in the bottom 25% nationally. On the other side, distance to a Superfund site stands at the national minimum, and modeled radon lies in the top 13.6% nationally. Walkability lands in the bottom 22% nationally. Park land sits at the national minimum, shared with about 48% of ZIPs. Poverty is in the top 26% nationally, modeled utility shutoff settles in the top 27% nationally, and modeled food insecurity resides in the top 27% nationally. Slow internet speeds registers in the top 27% nationally.
To spell things out, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Close by, ZIP 46737, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
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.
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 88%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 51%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 41%
13%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 24%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 10%
8%
Disability
healthier than 33%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 28%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 24%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Disability
healthier than 26%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 23%
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 76.4 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $60,127 predicts 78.1 years — 1.6 years below.
Ranked #2,035 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 76.4 ± 1.4 years. The 50 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.6 years — 2.1 years below them.
Ranked #1,663 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
46737
Indianashares a border
Score 50.13
Closest healthier
49030
Michiganshares a border
Score 47.58
Similar health profile
48416
Michigan99% similar profile
Score 44.98
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 | 30.6% | 27.3–34.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.6% | 33.5–41.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.9% | 8.1–9.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.8% | 10.5–13.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.8% | 8.6–11.0 |
| Depression among adults | 28.2% | 24.4–32.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.7% | 11.0–14.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.7% | 31.5–40.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.1% | 28.8–44.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.9% | 12.2–18.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.4% | 7.9–11.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.5% | 72.5–78.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.0% | 74.4–81.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.1% | 83.2–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.7% | 62.8–72.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.9% | 61.4–68.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.5% | 64.5–79.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.5% | 13.5–19.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.4% | 15.8–21.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.3% | 23.8–33.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.2% | 28.9–42.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.3% | 19.4–25.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.4% | 17.3–21.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.4–18.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.2% | 15.2–19.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.6% | 32.1–41.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.1% | 9.0–11.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.7% | 13.7–17.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.0–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.7% | 20.1–27.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.9% | 15.1–20.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 17.2% | 14.7–19.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.2% | 11.3–15.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 8.1–10.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.0% | 28.7–39.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 8.2–10.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 14.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 14.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 49.0% | 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 | 38.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $60,127 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $152,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $971 | $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 | 76.4 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 76.4, 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