ZIP code
49534
in Walker, MichiganPopulation 23,719
58.12/ 100
Ranked #6,296 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #165 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #23 of 79 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI ZIPs (top 29%)
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
0.3 mi
in the bottom 4.9% 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 ›Lead in tap water
6.5 ppb
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
US93rdDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
31.3%
in the bottom 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
58.8%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
73.4%
in the top 6.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
6.8%
in the bottom 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Transit access
2.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 12.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
1.9%
in the bottom 11.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
10.7%
in the bottom 12.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
9.3%
in the bottom 10.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, ZIP 49534, one of several in Walker, Michigan comes out in the top 20% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,296th) and the top 17% of Michigan (165th).
Several good marks anchor the profile and deserve first mention: modeled high cholesterol resides in the bottom 5.1% nationally, colon screening rests in the top 6.2% nationally, and tooth loss lies in the bottom 7.4% nationally. Transit sits in the top 12.3% nationally, park land settles in the top 12.5% nationally, and modeled short sleep registers in the bottom 13.0% nationally. Modeled energy burden stands in the bottom 11.2% nationally. By contrast, distance to a Superfund site lands in the bottom 4.9% nationally, and lead in tap water is in the top 6.8% nationally. Modeled pfas resides in the top 8.5% 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. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. 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. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 49418, 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 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 82%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Disability
healthier than 81%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 91%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 84%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 79%
11%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 57%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 48%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 69%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 48%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 9%
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 80.9 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $81,657 predicts 79.3 years — 1.6 years above.
Ranked #1,199 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 18.9; chronic-disease standing 81.7 — 63 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,680 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
49401
Michiganshares a border
Score 49.59
Closest healthier
49418
Michiganshares a border
Score 60.21
Similar health profile
18062
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 62.68
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 | 25.5% | 23.4–27.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.2% | 28.7–33.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.8% | 8.1–9.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.1% | 10.1–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.8–7.1 |
| Depression among adults | 28.3% | 25.6–31.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.3% | 8.3–10.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 31.3% | 28.7–33.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.0% | 29.2–36.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.8% | 5.7–8.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.9% | 5.0–6.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.1% | 72.7–77.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.2% | 76.5–81.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.9% | 85.4–88.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 73.4% | 70.5–76.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 73.5% | 71.2–75.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.9% | 72.2–81.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.4% | 16.0–20.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.4% | 10.9–14.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.8% | 17.3–22.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.7% | 27.5–34.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.1% | 13.5–16.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.2% | 15.6–18.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.3% | 11.1–13.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.4% | 12.0–14.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.1% | 24.5–29.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.5–7.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.7% | 9.5–11.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.0% | 19.3–24.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.4–12.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.2% | 7.9–10.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.9–10.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.7–7.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.9% | 28.4–35.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–7.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 35.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 70.1% | 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 | 4.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 61.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 19.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 37.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $81,657 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $306,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,280 | $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 | 80.9 yr ± 0.69 | 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 0.69 years of 80.9, 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