ZIP code
49274
in Reading, MichiganPopulation 3,679
39.92/ 100
Ranked #26,818 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 16%)
Ranked #906 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 6.9%)
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.
Independent-living disability
11.7%
in the top 13.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
2.7 pCi/L
in the top 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS83rdDefinition & 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 ›Crowded housing
4.2%
in the top 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS83rdDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
18.3%
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›The read
Reading, Michigan (ZIP 49274), by its composite score, sits in the bottom 16% nationally (26,818th) and the bottom 6.9% of Michigan (906th).
The measures land in both directions, and neither dominates: modeled disaster risk lands in the bottom 13.8% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure stands at the national minimum, shared with about 36% of ZIPs. Floodplain exposure registers in the bottom 19% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled independent living disability settles in the top 13.2% nationally, radon sits in the top 17% nationally, and coronary heart disease lies in the top 14.3% nationally. Crowded housing rests in the top 17% nationally, and poverty resides in the top 18% nationally. Physicians is at the national minimum, shared with about 38% of ZIPs. Modeled cognitive disability lands in the top 18% nationally.
For anyone unfamiliar, disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 49036, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 62%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 54%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 14%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 17%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 23%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 60%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 52%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 10%
7%
Healthcare Access
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
49036
Michiganshares a border
Score 44.43
Closest healthier
49082
Michiganshares a border
Score 48.22
Similar health profile
49026
Michigan99% similar profile
Score 42.32
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 | 34.6% | 31.0–38.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.2% | 37.9–46.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.2% | 9.2–11.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.3% | 10.8–14.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.5% | 8.4–10.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 12.5% | 10.9–14.2 |
| Depression among adults | 30.5% | 26.3–34.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.8% | 12.8–16.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.9% | 35.4–44.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.4% | 32.0–47.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.0% | 12.8–19.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.3% | 6.7–10.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.6% | 75.5–81.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.8% | 76.2–82.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.0% | 82.9–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.3% | 61.8–72.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.5% | 58.5–66.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.8% | 66.3–82.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.3% | 12.5–18.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 20.7% | 17.6–23.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.0% | 26.1–35.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.7% | 28.1–42.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.4% | 22.1–28.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.0% | 17.6–22.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.9% | 15.7–20.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.3% | 15.9–20.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.2% | 34.5–43.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.6–10.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.3–13.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.2% | 16.7–21.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.7–6.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.0% | 19.4–26.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.8% | 16.7–23.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 21.0% | 17.8–24.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 10.9–15.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.6–11.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.6% | 28.5–38.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.7–11.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 20.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 21.1% | 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 | 6.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 81.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 25.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 79.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.9% | 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+ | 20.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 46.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $58,087 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $171,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $809 | $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 | 79.3 yr ± 0.67 | 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 0.67 years of 79.3, 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