ZIP code
49544
in Walker, MichiganPopulation 9,631
57.24/ 100
Ranked #7,031 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 22%)
Ranked #193 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #26 of 79 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI ZIPs (top 33%)
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 ›High cholesterol
29.9%
in the bottom 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices located 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 ›Transit access
3.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Outpatient-care access
0.42 per 1,000 residents
in the top 10.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient clinics located 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
1.8%
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS10thDefinition & 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
10.5%
in the bottom 11.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS11thDefinition & 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 ›High blood pressure
30.5%
in the bottom 12.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Stroke
2.8%
in the bottom 12.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, ZIP 49544, one of several in Walker, Michigan lands in the top 22% healthiest ZIPs nationally (7,031st) and the top 20% of Michigan (193rd).
Strengths and concerns sit side by side across the measures here: modeled high cholesterol is in the bottom 3.3% nationally, and dental providers stands in the top 4.8% nationally. Transit settles in the top 9.5% nationally, and mental-health providers lies in the top 10.3% nationally. Outpatient resides in the top 10.8% nationally, modeled energy burden lands in the bottom 9.7% nationally, and physicians registers in the top 13.1% nationally. On the other hand, distance to a Superfund site sits at the national minimum, modeled pfas rests in the top 11.5% nationally, and lead in tap water is in the top 13.0% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, 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. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 49435, 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 84%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 79%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 69%
11%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 79%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 83%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 69%
11%
Disability
healthier than 83%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 85%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 67%
16%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 56%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 43%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
“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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 26.7; chronic-disease standing 83.9 — 57 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,126 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
49321
Michiganshares a border
Score 53.38
Closest healthier
49435
Michiganshares a border
Score 59.36
Similar health profile
49283
Michigan98% similar profile
Score 58.14
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 | 24.2% | 21.8–26.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.5% | 27.4–33.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.1% | 7.3–8.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.8–12.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.5–7.3 |
| Depression among adults | 28.3% | 25.1–31.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.3% | 8.1–10.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 29.9% | 26.9–32.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.6% | 29.1–38.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.4% | 6.8–10.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.1% | 5.8–8.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.3% | 70.4–75.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.1% | 74.7–80.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.9% | 83.8–87.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.6% | 65.4–73.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.9% | 67.0–72.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.3% | 68.9–80.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.3% | 15.5–21.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.8% | 10.9–15.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.7% | 17.6–23.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.0% | 29.1–37.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.0% | 13.9–18.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.5% | 15.5–19.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.3% | 10.8–13.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.9% | 12.2–15.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.2% | 23.9–30.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.7–7.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.6–8.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.1–12.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.1% | 19.9–26.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.8% | 10.8–15.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.7% | 9.0–12.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 8.9–12.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.4–8.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.8% | 28.6–37.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.1–8.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 33.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 50.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 16.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 38.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $74,390 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $264,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,204 | $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 | 79.5 yr ± 0.79 | 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 0.79 years of 79.5, 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