ZIP code
49048
in Kalamazoo, MichiganPopulation 22,791
48.39/ 100
Ranked #18,439 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 42%)
Ranked #607 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 38%)
Ranked #14 of 18 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
409 units
in the top 5.8% 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 ›Transit access
4.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
59.6%
in the top 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Loneliness
36.2%
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS84thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
61.8%
in the bottom 18% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS18thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, ZIP 49048, one of several in Kalamazoo, Michigan sits in the bottom 42% nationally (18,439th) and the bottom 38% of Michigan (607th).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Subsidized affordable housing is in the top 5.8% nationally, transit rests in the top 7.1% nationally, and physicians sits in the top 10.1% nationally. Modeled short sleep registers in the bottom 16% nationally. On the other hand, distance to a Superfund site lands at the national minimum, and modeled pfas resides in the top 8.1% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff lies in the top 15% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility settles at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. Modeled obesity stands in the top 13.4% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, 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 49002, 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. 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 70%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 56%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 55%
11%
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 31%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 66%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Disability
healthier than 43%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 33%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 21%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 94%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 24%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 24%
8%
Disability
healthier than 24%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 29%
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 76.7 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $60,454 predicts 78.1 years — 1.4 years below.
Ranked #1,686 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 76.7 ± 1.1 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.6 years — 1.9 years below them.
Ranked #1,529 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
49001
Michiganshares a border
Score 43.29
Closest healthier
49002
Michiganshares a border
Score 57.83
Similar health profile
37659
Tennessee97% similar profile
Score 48.81
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 | 27.2% | 25.0–29.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.7% | 32.0–37.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.7% | 7.0–8.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.3% | 11.1–13.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–6.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–9.0 |
| Depression among adults | 29.3% | 26.4–32.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.6% | 10.3–12.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.1% | 31.4–37.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.9% | 37.7–46.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.4–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.4% | 9.2–13.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.0% | 6.8–9.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.2% | 72.7–77.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.1% | 76.4–81.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.8% | 84.1–87.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.1% | 64.7–73.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.3% | 62.0–68.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.6% | 70.8–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.9% | 14.7–19.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.7% | 14.7–18.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.0% | 24.0–30.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.2% | 26.5–36.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.5% | 18.4–22.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.0% | 18.2–22.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.6% | 13.2–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.4% | 14.7–18.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.0% | 29.0–35.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.9% | 8.9–10.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.5–15.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.3% | 4.0–4.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.2–6.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.9% | 21.8–28.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.1% | 17.8–22.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 20.3% | 18.1–22.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.2% | 13.4–17.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.2% | 32.2–40.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.7% | 10.3–13.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.5% | 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+) | 24.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.9% | 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 | 90.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 31.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 61.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 45.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 16.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 36.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $60,454 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $177,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,074 | $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 | 76.7 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 76.7, 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