ZIP code
53221
in Milwaukee, WisconsinPopulation 38,044
51.45/ 100
Ranked #14,192 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 44%)
Ranked #504 of 763 Wisconsin ZIPs (bottom 34%)
Ranked #65 of 80 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI ZIPs (bottom 19%)
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.
Expected annual disaster loss
$1
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
3.8%
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
15.4%
in the top 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Transit access
3.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.7% 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 ›Mammography
81.1%
in the top 6.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST81stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Walkability
88 intersections/sq mi
in the top 12.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
5.4%
in the top 12.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
56.9%
in the bottom 13.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 53221, one of several in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ranks in the top 44% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,192nd) and the bottom 34% of Wisconsin (504th).
Several signals sit on each side of the ledger here: transit sits in the top 8.7% nationally, and modeled mammography resides in the top 6.4% nationally. Distance to a community health center stands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Walkability sits in the top 12.4% nationally. Working the other way, modeled expected annual loss resides in the top 1.6% nationally, loud transportation noise stands in the top 2.5% nationally, and disaster risk sits in the top 3.0% nationally. Modeled industrial-pollution burden resides in the top 3.7% nationally, modeled transportation noise stands in the top 4.1% nationally, and crowded housing sits in the top 12.5% nationally.
Against its neighbors, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 53129, 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI 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 63%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 43%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Disability
healthier than 49%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 64%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 95%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 47%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.5%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Disability
healthier than 31%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 96%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 22%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 4%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
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
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 77.1 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $63,265 predicts 78.3 years — 1.2 years below.
Ranked #1,541 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 2.1 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 63.4 — 61 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,548 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
53129
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 61.59
Closest healthier
53132
Wisconsinshares a border
Score 62.17
Similar health profile
18103
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 49.26
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 | 26.4% | 24.6–28.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.8% | 32.6–37.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.8% | 7.1–8.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.9–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.6 |
| Depression among adults | 23.0% | 20.8–25.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.1% | 11.9–14.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.3% | 33.1–37.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.9% | 32.8–39.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.4–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.5% | 10.6–14.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.1% | 10.6–13.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.9% | 75.6–80.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.1% | 75.7–80.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.7% | 84.2–87.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.9% | 64.8–70.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.0% | 60.5–65.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.1% | 76.9–84.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.5% | 14.5–18.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.3% | 12.8–15.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.4% | 26.0–30.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.7% | 31.8–37.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.1% | 20.3–24.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.5–17.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.1% | 12.9–15.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.9% | 12.6–15.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.9% | 28.6–33.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.5–10.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.2% | 13.9–16.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.3% | 22.0–26.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.4% | 15.6–19.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 17.2% | 15.5–18.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.5–14.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.9–9.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.9% | 31.1–36.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.1–7.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.5% (3.6–16.0%) n=765 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 6.7% (2.4–14.9%) n=764 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (2.3–12.6%) n=768 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 24.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.5% (12.7–44.0%) n=768 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 2.6% (0.9–5.6%) n=763 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.8–9.0%) n=764 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 88.8% (80.0–94.8%) n=764 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 35.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 21.8% (14.7–29.1%) n=764 |
| Homeownership rate | 56.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.3% (62.1–91.8%) n=764 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.7%) n=764 |
| Foreign-born population | 17.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.3–6.8%) n=768 |
| Single-parent households | 42.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 59.0% (47.7–72.8%) n=762 |
| Population 65+ | 15.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (13.9–32.2%) n=768 |
| Median age | 38.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.2 yr (36.2–56.1) n=765 |
| Median household income | $63,265 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $75,147 ($57,542–$101,625) n=755 |
| Median home value | $219,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $231,900 ($160,140–$367,300) n=755 |
| Median gross rent | $1,119 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $914 ($696–$1,261) n=706 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 77.1 yr ± 0.55 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 80.4 yr (77.7–83.6) n=712 |
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 0.55 years of 77.1, 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