ZIP code
72227
in Little Rock, ArkansasPopulation 11,284
55.44/ 100
Ranked #8,939 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 28%)
Ranked #21 of 562 Arkansas ZIPs (top 3.8%)
Ranked #12 of 59 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ZIPs (top 20%)
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.
Air-toxics cancer risk
40 per million
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Loud transportation noise
2.2%
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
1.9%
in the bottom 11.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS11thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
78 intersections/sq mi
in the top 14.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Physician access
1.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 14.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS85thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices located 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
71%
in the top 15% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Recreation access
0.63 per 1,000 residents
in the top 21% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS79thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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
77.7%
in the top 28% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS72ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, ZIP 72227, one of several in Little Rock, Arkansas comes out in the top 28% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,939th) and the top 3.8% of Arkansas (21st).
Several good marks anchor the profile and deserve first mention: park land lands in the top 12.5% nationally, modeled energy burden is in the bottom 11.3% nationally, and walkability resides in the top 14.2% nationally. Physicians rests in the top 14.6% nationally, pharmacy lies in the top 16% nationally, and modeled colon screening sits in the top 15% nationally. By contrast, modeled air-toxics cancer risk settles in the top 4.5% nationally, and loud transportation noise registers in the top 6.6% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss stands in the top 16% nationally, and humid heat lands in the top 17% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. 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 nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 72113, 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 73%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 79%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 58%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Disability
healthier than 56%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 34%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 29%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 92%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 97%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 93%
8%
Disability
healthier than 90%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 90%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 75%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
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
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.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 80.9 ± 2.2 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.2 years — 4.8 years above them.
Ranked #183 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 40.0 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 80.9 ± 2.2 years.
Ranked #504 of the 4,173 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by modeled air-toxics risk, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
72113
Arkansasshares a border
Score 57.68
Closest healthier
72205
Arkansasshares a border
Score 56.66
Similar health profile
63128
Missouri97% similar profile
Score 57.65
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 | 28.3% | 25.7–30.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.2% | 37.9–44.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.6% | 8.7–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.7% | 8.6–10.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.2–7.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.7 |
| Depression among adults | 23.3% | 20.5–26.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.5% | 10.0–13.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.0% | 34.6–41.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.9% | 32.5–41.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.8% | 10.7–15.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.0% | 6.6–9.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.7% | 75.1–80.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.6% | 78.7–84.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.3% | 86.7–89.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.0% | 67.3–74.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.2% | 60.2–66.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.7% | 72.2–82.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.4% | 12.1–16.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.9% | 9.1–12.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.1% | 21.7–28.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.5% | 30.8–38.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.1% | 16.7–21.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.8% | 14.0–17.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.8% | 11.2–14.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.3% | 12.5–16.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.7% | 29.1–36.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.8% | 6.9–8.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.1–9.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.1% | 13.2–17.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.7% | 20.9–26.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.2% | 11.3–15.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 6.9–10.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.2% | 9.6–13.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.8% | 6.8–9.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.8% | 28.3–35.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AR median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (4.0–30.6%) n=574 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.3% (1.5–24.1%) n=573 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.0% (3.7–23.0%) n=577 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 58.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 15.5% (4.4–30.5%) n=577 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–11.6%) n=573 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–12.5%) n=574 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 83.2% (65.0–94.7%) n=574 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.4% (4.3–33.2%) n=574 |
| Homeownership rate | 61.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.6% (57.7–96.1%) n=574 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–5.7%) n=574 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.8% (0.0–6.5%) n=578 |
| Single-parent households | 36.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.0% (35.3–79.3%) n=571 |
| Population 65+ | 17.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.6–37.9%) n=578 |
| Median age | 38.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.6 yr (33.6–58.1) n=573 |
| Median household income | $73,879 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $53,893 ($36,003–$79,139) n=505 |
| Median home value | $270,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $128,200 ($73,260–$235,420) n=519 |
| Median gross rent | $1,038 | $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 | 80.9 yr ± 1.12 | 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 1.12 years of 80.9, 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