ZIP code
72904
in Fort Smith, ArkansasPopulation 21,296
23.17/ 100
Ranked #31,646 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 1.4%)
Ranked #557 of 562 Arkansas ZIPs (bottom 0.9%)
Ranked #31 of 31 Fort Smith, AR-OK ZIPs (bottom 3.3%)
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.
Uninsured (under 65)
26%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
12.4%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
39.1%
in the top 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
25.6%
in the top 0.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
33%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
15.5%
in the top 2.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
8.1%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
51.2%
in the bottom 2.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
39.7%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
6.2%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, ZIP 72904, one of several in Fort Smith, Arkansas ranks in the bottom 1.4% nationally (31,646th) and the bottom 0.9% of Arkansas (557th).
The measures that press hardest set the tone here: modeled uninsured resides in the top 2.0% nationally, and vision disability lands in the top 1.8% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health registers in the top 0.9% nationally, and cognitive disability sits in the top 0.8% nationally. Modeled tooth loss rests in the top 1.8% nationally, independent living disability is in the top 2.1% nationally, and self-care disability stands in the top 2.6% nationally. Modeled colon screening settles in the bottom 2.5% nationally, food insecurity lies in the top 2.0% nationally, and energy burden resides in the top 2.4% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 72901, 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 Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 53%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 14%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.9%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 2%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 1%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 2%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 32%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.3%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 1%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 13%
8%
Disability
healthier than 3%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 38%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.00%
16%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Disability
in the bottom 0.00%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.00%
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 ›
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 73.4 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $41,909 predicts 76.6 years — 3.3 years below.
Ranked #4,425 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 73.4 ± 1.3 years. The 50 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.1 years — 2.7 years below them.
Ranked #2,096 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
72901
Arkansasshares a border
Score 34.70
Closest healthier
72903
Arkansasshares a border
Score 48.15
Similar health profile
76301
Texas99% similar profile
Score 29.61
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 | 27.5% | 24.6–30.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 44.2% | 40.4–48.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.0% | 8.2–9.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 11.4% | 10.2–12.6 |
| Depression among adults | 24.7% | 21.4–28.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 18.5% | 16.3–20.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.6% | 36.8–44.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.7% | 36.6–48.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.2% | 4.8–5.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 33.0% | 28.6–37.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 26.0% | 23.2–29.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.5% | 72.8–78.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.8% | 72.1–79.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 78.5% | 76.1–80.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 51.2% | 46.0–56.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 37.2% | 33.8–40.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 66.9% | 58.3–74.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 11.5% | 9.4–13.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 23.2% | 20.4–25.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 48.1% | 43.3–52.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 43.9% | 38.1–49.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 39.1% | 35.6–42.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 22.3% | 19.9–24.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 21.3% | 19.0–23.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 25.6% | 23.2–28.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 47.8% | 43.4–52.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 15.5% | 13.9–17.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 24.3% | 21.7–26.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.4–8.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 12.4% | 11.3–13.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 33.0% | 29.0–37.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 39.7% | 35.9–43.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 29.1% | 25.7–32.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 27.8% | 24.6–31.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 19.3% | 17.2–21.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 40.6% | 35.6–45.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 20.7% | 18.3–23.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AR median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 29.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (4.0–30.6%) n=574 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 22.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 11.3% (1.5–24.1%) n=573 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 33.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.0% (3.7–23.0%) n=577 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 7.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 15.5% (4.4–30.5%) n=577 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–11.6%) n=573 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–12.5%) n=574 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 83.2% (65.0–94.7%) n=574 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.4% (4.3–33.2%) n=574 |
| Homeownership rate | 53.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.6% (57.7–96.1%) n=574 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.3% (0.0–5.7%) n=574 |
| Foreign-born population | 26.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.8% (0.0–6.5%) n=578 |
| Single-parent households | 34.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 53.0% (35.3–79.3%) n=571 |
| Population 65+ | 12.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.6–37.9%) n=578 |
| Median age | 32.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.6 yr (33.6–58.1) n=573 |
| Median household income | $41,909 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $53,893 ($36,003–$79,139) n=505 |
| Median home value | $111,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $128,200 ($73,260–$235,420) n=519 |
| Median gross rent | $842 | $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 | 73.4 yr ± 0.66 | 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 0.66 years of 73.4, 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