ZIP code
49620
in Buckley, MichiganPopulation 3,070
47.92/ 100
Ranked #19,027 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 41%)
Ranked #634 of 973 Michigan ZIPs (bottom 35%)
Ranked #24 of 28 Traverse City, MI ZIPs (bottom 14.3%)
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.
Arsenic in groundwater
1.1%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS4thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.76%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams per liter.
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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
9.7 mi
in the top 11.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS88thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
5.5%
in the top 12.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
29.3 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 14.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS86thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
17.9%
in the top 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS80thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›The read
Judged by its overall standing, Buckley, Michigan (ZIP 49620) sits in the bottom 41% nationally (19,027th) and the bottom 35% of Michigan (634th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: modeled arsenic rests in the bottom 3.6% nationally, industrial-pollution burden settles in the bottom 9.9% nationally, and humid heat lands in the bottom 16% nationally. Park land rests in the top 19% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled nitrate settles in the top 6.8% nationally, and distance to a nursing home lands in the top 11.7% nationally. Crowded housing rests in the top 12.2% nationally, and fatal road crashes settles in the top 14.0% nationally. Recreation lands at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs. Distance to an emergency room rests in the top 19% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put plainly, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 49637, 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 Traverse City, MI metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 87%
14%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 97%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 52%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Disability
healthier than 49%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 14%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 61%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 83%
14%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 94%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 49%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 42%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.2%
16%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.00%
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
49625
Michiganshares a border
Score 42.15
Closest healthier
49637
Michiganshares a border
Score 52.20
Similar health profile
48022
Michigan99% similar profile
Score 49.35
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 | 29.4% | 26.8–32.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.3% | 32.3–38.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.7% | 8.0–9.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.9% | 10.8–13.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.2 |
| Depression among adults | 28.8% | 25.7–32.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.3% | 10.0–12.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.5% | 31.3–37.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.9% | 33.1–45.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.3% | 11.3–15.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.2% | 5.9–8.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.7% | 72.1–77.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.0% | 75.0–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.1% | 83.2–86.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.1% | 64.2–71.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.6% | 60.7–66.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.7% | 67.8–79.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.9% | 15.4–20.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.2% | 15.9–20.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.4% | 22.0–29.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.1% | 29.2–39.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.4% | 18.2–23.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.7% | 17.9–21.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.6–16.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.5% | 14.9–18.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.5% | 30.1–37.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.4–10.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.5–15.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.9% | 20.2–25.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.4% | 13.1–17.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.3% | 12.9–17.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.7% | 10.0–13.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.4–9.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.3% | 29.5–37.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–9.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.7% (4.3–22.3%) n=974 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.8% (2.5–13.5%) n=975 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.7% (2.5–14.2%) n=974 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.1% (11.4–48.3%) n=974 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.3–10.0%) n=974 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.5% (0.9–10.8%) n=973 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (79.5–95.5%) n=973 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 22.5% (14.8–32.9%) n=973 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 85.3% (62.2–94.6%) n=973 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.6%) n=973 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.8% (0.3–10.0%) n=975 |
| Single-parent households | 52.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.5% (43.6–74.2%) n=970 |
| Population 65+ | 17.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (13.7–35.2%) n=975 |
| Median age | 37.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (35.2–58.2) n=974 |
| Median household income | $75,192 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,216 ($47,282–$105,129) n=962 |
| Median home value | $225,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $192,350 ($116,360–$355,650) n=952 |
| Median gross rent | $1,105 | $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 | 76.1 yr ± 0.53 | 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 0.53 years of 76.1, 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