ZIP code
71859
in Saratoga, ArkansasPopulation 146
37.92/ 100
Ranked #28,058 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 12.5%)
Ranked #340 of 562 Arkansas ZIPs (bottom 40%)
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
0.73%
in the bottom 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
70.9%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
11 ppb
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
US98thDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
100%
at the national maximum
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
46.6%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST60thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
10.0%
in the bottom 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
129.6 days/year
in the top 10.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.7 pCi/L
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Distance to a community health center
13.8 mi
in the top 13.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Saratoga, Arkansas (ZIP 71859) places in the bottom 12.5% nationally (28,058th) and the bottom 40% of Arkansas (340th).
The data opens on real and measurable burdens: floodplain exposure settles in the top 1.6% nationally, and lead in tap water sits in the top 1.8% nationally. Modeled high blood pressure lies in the top 8.5% nationally, and humid heat rests in the top 10.1% nationally. Modeled extreme heat resides in the top 12.0% nationally. More encouragingly, modeled arsenic is in the bottom 0.2% nationally, and homeownership lands at the national maximum. Unemployment stands at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Housing-cost burden registers in the bottom 9.4% nationally, and modeled radon settles in the bottom 4.9% nationally.
For readers new to these terms, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 71822, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 42%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 15%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 17%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 34%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 23%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Disability
healthier than 22%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.5%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 11%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 77%
8%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 57%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 1%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 2%
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
71822
Arkansasshares a border
Score 38.48
Closest healthier
71846
Arkansasshares a border
Score 38.15
Similar health profile
75638
Texas98% similar profile
Score 41.32
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 | 33.5% | 30.5–36.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 46.6% | 43.2–49.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.4–10.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.8–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.0% | 8.1–9.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.4 |
| Depression among adults | 23.5% | 20.8–26.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.0% | 14.2–17.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.8% | 38.3–45.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.0% | 35.9–48.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 22.1% | 18.8–25.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.7% | 8.0–11.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.6% | 79.5–83.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.9% | 78.2–83.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.1% | 85.4–88.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.9% | 61.8–70.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 50.5% | 47.3–53.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 71.0% | 64.7–76.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.1% | 11.2–15.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.1% | 14.7–19.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 35.9% | 31.4–40.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.4% | 34.4–45.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.9% | 23.0–29.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.5% | 16.6–20.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.1% | 15.3–19.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.9% | 15.9–19.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 40.7% | 36.5–44.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.0% | 8.1–10.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.3% | 18.0–22.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.5–5.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–7.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.7% | 25.4–32.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.0% | 15.6–20.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.3–13.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 11.9–15.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 8.0–10.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.0% | 31.9–40.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AR median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 23.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (4.0–30.6%) n=574 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 27.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.3% (1.5–24.1%) n=573 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 19.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.0% (3.7–23.0%) n=577 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 15.5% (4.4–30.5%) n=577 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–11.6%) n=573 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–12.5%) n=574 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 83.2% (65.0–94.7%) n=574 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 10.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.4% (4.3–33.2%) n=574 |
| Homeownership rate | 100.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.6% (57.7–96.1%) n=574 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–5.7%) n=574 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.8% (0.0–6.5%) n=578 |
| Single-parent households | 100.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.0% (35.3–79.3%) n=571 |
| Population 65+ | 31.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.6–37.9%) n=578 |
| Median age | 57.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.6 yr (33.6–58.1) n=573 |
| Median household income | — | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $53,893 ($36,003–$79,139) n=505 |
| Median home value | $235,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $128,200 ($73,260–$235,420) n=519 |
| Median gross rent | — | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $800 ($568–$1,094) n=393 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AR median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 78.3 yr ± 2.16 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 76.2 yr (73.4–79.7) n=580 |
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 2.16 years of 78.3, 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