ZIP code
72122
in Paron, ArkansasPopulation 1,471
56.90/ 100
Ranked #7,372 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 23%)
Ranked #14 of 562 Arkansas ZIPs (top 2.5%)
Ranked #8 of 59 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ZIPs (top 13.6%)
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
0.91%
in the bottom 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Tree cover
79.8%
in the top 5.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Park land
23.1%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
29.9%
in the top 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
7.3%
in the bottom 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
5.2%
in the bottom 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
8.6%
in the bottom 10.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
2.1%
in the bottom 14.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS14thDefinition & 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 ›Loneliness
29.6%
in the bottom 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS19thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
5.4%
in the bottom 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS20thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
Paron, Arkansas (ZIP 72122), in overall standing, comes out in the top 23% healthiest ZIPs nationally (7,372nd) and the top 2.5% of Arkansas (14th).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: modeled arsenic settles in the bottom 1.0% nationally, modeled tree cover lands in the top 5.0% nationally, and park land rests in the top 6.0% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity settles in the bottom 9.5% nationally, transportation lands in the bottom 9.9% nationally, and food insecurity rests in the bottom 10.4% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise settles at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Pulling the other way, poverty lands in the top 6.9% nationally, and walkability rests in the bottom 11.9% nationally. Home broadband subscription settles in the bottom 13.6% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 72223, 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 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 77%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 86%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 87%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 65%
8%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 51%
21%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 94%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 75%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 98%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 97%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 95%
8%
Disability
healthier than 94%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 77%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 75%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 82%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 92%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 91%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 51%
21%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 6%
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
72002
Arkansasshares a border
Score 49.26
Closest healthier
72223
Arkansasshares a border
Score 64.81
Similar health profile
21813
Maryland98% similar profile
Score 58.08
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 | 31.0% | 28.4–33.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.9% | 38.8–44.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.1% | 10.3–12.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.1–8.1 |
| Depression among adults | 23.7% | 21.0–26.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.3% | 10.0–12.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.9% | 38.7–45.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.4% | 29.2–37.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.2% | 9.6–12.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.2% | 5.1–7.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.1% | 77.6–82.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.7% | 79.2–83.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.2% | 88.9–91.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.4% | 66.1–72.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.4% | 64.8–69.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.6% | 71.8–81.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.4% | 13.2–17.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.8% | 9.8–13.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.5% | 21.0–27.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.0% | 29.5–36.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.0% | 15.6–20.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.7% | 13.1–16.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.5% | 12.0–15.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.0% | 28.5–35.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.1–7.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.7% | 12.8–16.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.3% | 2.9–3.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.8% | 19.2–24.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.2–10.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 4.5% | 3.6–5.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.2–8.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–6.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.6% | 26.4–32.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.6–6.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AR median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 29.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (4.0–30.6%) n=574 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.3% (1.5–24.1%) n=573 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.0% (3.7–23.0%) n=577 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 31.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 15.5% (4.4–30.5%) n=577 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–11.6%) n=573 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–12.5%) n=574 |
| Broadband subscription | 78.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 83.2% (65.0–94.7%) n=574 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.4% (4.3–33.2%) n=574 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.3% | 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 | 1.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.8% (0.0–6.5%) n=578 |
| Single-parent households | 64.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.0% (35.3–79.3%) n=571 |
| Population 65+ | 26.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.6–37.9%) n=578 |
| Median age | 46.9 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 | — | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $128,200 ($73,260–$235,420) n=519 |
| Median gross rent | $487 | $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 | 79.3 yr ± 1.49 | 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 1.49 years of 79.3, 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