ZIP code
72002
in Alexander, ArkansasPopulation 21,495
49.26/ 100
Ranked #17,295 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 46%)
Ranked #48 of 562 Arkansas ZIPs (top 8.6%)
Ranked #21 of 59 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ZIPs (top 36%)
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
0.76%
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
67.8%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
36.8 per million
in the top 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
2.2%
in the bottom 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS18thDefinition & 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 ›Fatal road crashes
5.6 per 100,000 residents per year
in the bottom 23% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS23rdDefinition & 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 ›Coronary heart disease
6.0%
in the bottom 23% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS23rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Stroke
3.2%
in the bottom 24% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS24thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
10.8%
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS25thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
6.9%
in the bottom 30% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS30thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
35.7%
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS25thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›The read
Alexander, Arkansas (ZIP 72002), overall, ranks in the bottom 46% nationally (17,295th) and the top 8.6% of Arkansas (48th).
This area's measures are easy to read as a mixed set: modeled arsenic lands in the bottom 0.3% nationally, distance to an emergency room lies in the bottom 12.2% nationally, and modeled energy burden stands in the bottom 18% nationally. Modeled radon rests in the bottom 21% nationally. Set against that, modeled pfas registers in the top 5.1% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk resides in the top 8.4% nationally. Modeled humid heat settles in the top 14.2% nationally, and disaster risk is in the top 16% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss sits in the top 17% nationally, and utility shutoff lands in the top 19% nationally.
Measured against the nearby ZIPs, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. 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. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. ZIP 72019, just across the boundary, comes out healthier overall.
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 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR 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 70%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 51%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Disability
healthier than 47%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 27%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 29%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 92%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 77%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Disability
healthier than 87%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 70%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 78%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 41%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 43%
8%
Disability
healthier than 51%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 39%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
“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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 76.6 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $85,502 predicts 79.5 years — 2.9 years below.
Ranked #4,013 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
72011
Arkansasshares a border
Score 49.01
Closest healthier
72019
Arkansasshares a border
Score 53.42
Similar health profile
65336
Missouri97% similar profile
Score 49.51
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 | 24.7% | 22.3–27.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.8% | 34.5–41.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.1% | 6.5–7.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.3–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.5–6.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.6 |
| Depression among adults | 25.4% | 22.3–28.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.8% | 9.6–12.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.7% | 32.5–39.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.9% | 31.8–42.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 3.0–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.6% | 12.5–17.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.2% | 9.8–12.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.9% | 71.0–76.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.9% | 74.9–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.0% | 83.0–86.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.4% | 56.9–65.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.9% | 54.7–61.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.7% | 69.1–81.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.4% | 13.9–19.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.4% | 13.4–17.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.7% | 26.1–33.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.8% | 33.7–44.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.3% | 20.0–24.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.6% | 16.7–20.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.3% | 12.8–15.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.4% | 15.6–19.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.8% | 31.3–38.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.2–7.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.0% | 8.1–9.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.6% | 13.1–16.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–5.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.5% | 23.2–30.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.8% | 15.6–20.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.5–12.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.9% | 13.0–16.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 8.4–10.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.3% | 30.0–39.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.5–12.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AR median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (4.0–30.6%) n=574 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.3% (1.5–24.1%) n=573 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.0% (3.7–23.0%) n=577 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 31.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 15.5% (4.4–30.5%) n=577 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–11.6%) n=573 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–12.5%) n=574 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 83.2% (65.0–94.7%) n=574 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.4% (4.3–33.2%) n=574 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.6% (57.7–96.1%) n=574 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–5.7%) n=574 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.8% (0.0–6.5%) n=578 |
| Single-parent households | 36.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.0% (35.3–79.3%) n=571 |
| Population 65+ | 11.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.6–37.9%) n=578 |
| Median age | 34.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.6 yr (33.6–58.1) n=573 |
| Median household income | $85,502 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $53,893 ($36,003–$79,139) n=505 |
| Median home value | $220,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $128,200 ($73,260–$235,420) n=519 |
| Median gross rent | $1,074 | $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 | 76.5 yr ± 0.73 | 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 0.73 years of 76.5, 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