ZIP code
49507
in Grand Rapids, MichiganPopulation 38,487
42.94/ 100
Ranked #24,429 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 24%)
Ranked #860 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 11.7%)
Ranked #76 of 79 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI ZIPs (bottom 3.8%)
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.
High cholesterol
28.5%
in the bottom 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
17.7%
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
24.3%
in the top 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
16.3%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
31.8%
in the top 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
440 units
in the top 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.5 mi
in the bottom 5.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
140 intersections/sq mi
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
6.9 ppb
in the top 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
US94thDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Transit access
3.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS90thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Judged by its overall standing, ZIP 49507, one of several in Grand Rapids, Michigan sits in the bottom 24% nationally (24,429th) and the bottom 11.7% of Michigan (860th).
An even profile, with readings pulling both ways: modeled high cholesterol lies in the bottom 2.3% nationally, subsidized affordable housing registers in the top 5.2% nationally, and walkability is in the top 6.0% nationally. Transit lies in the top 9.6% nationally. Against that, modeled utility shutoff registers in the top 4.0% nationally, and housing insecurity is in the top 4.6% nationally. Modeled transportation lies in the top 4.7% nationally, and food insecurity registers in the top 5.0% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site is in the bottom 5.4% nationally, and lead in tap water lies in the top 6.3% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put plainly, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 49503, 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 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 90%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 15%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 16%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 23%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 73%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 68%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 7%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 2%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 10%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 13%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 93%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.00%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 2%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
“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 its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 77.8 ± 1.7 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.3 years — 2.4 years below them.
Ranked #1,860 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
49503
Michiganshares a border
Score 52.54
Closest healthier
49506
Michiganshares a border
Score 63.70
Similar health profile
48216
Michigan97% similar profile
Score 43.76
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 | 23.2% | 21.0–25.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.2% | 32.2–38.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.0% | 4.6–5.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.3% | 10.9–13.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.3 |
| Depression among adults | 27.2% | 24.1–30.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.9% | 12.3–15.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 28.5% | 25.5–31.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.8% | 37.9–47.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.5–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 18.9% | 16.0–22.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.7% | 13.6–17.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 71.9% | 69.1–74.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.7% | 74.4–80.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.0% | 79.8–83.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.8% | 57.5–65.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 56.2% | 53.0–59.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.5% | 68.1–79.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.7% | 13.1–18.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.0% | 15.9–20.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.4% | 27.8–35.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.1% | 35.8–44.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.6% | 24.0–29.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.4% | 18.3–22.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.6% | 14.0–17.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.1% | 17.2–21.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.9% | 31.5–38.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.6–12.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.4% | 13.7–17.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.2–6.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.7–9.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.3% | 25.8–33.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 31.8% | 28.7–34.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 30.8% | 28.0–33.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 24.3% | 21.7–27.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 16.3% | 14.6–18.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.8% | 32.6–41.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 17.7% | 15.8–19.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 22.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 22.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 62.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 19.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 35.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 10.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 31.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $61,461 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $199,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,108 | $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 | 77.8 yr ± 0.88 | 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 0.88 years of 77.8, 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