ZIP code
73521
in Altus, OklahomaPopulation 20,155
41.63/ 100
Ranked #25,540 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 20%)
Ranked #246 of 634 Oklahoma ZIPs (top 39%)
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.
Natural-disaster risk
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
5.5%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
91.1 days/year
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
5.4%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
58.6 mi
in the top 9.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST82ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 11.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS88thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
0.15%
in the bottom 16% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS16thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
14.6%
in the top 12.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Altus, Oklahoma (ZIP 73521) ranks in the bottom 20% nationally (25,540th) and the top 39% of Oklahoma (246th).
Several measures weigh most on this area's profile, and they come first: modeled disaster risk resides at the national maximum, and slow internet speeds registers in the top 2.2% nationally. Modeled extreme heat rests in the top 2.7% nationally, and energy burden stands in the top 5.5% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss lies in the top 11.8% nationally, and homeownership lands in the bottom 13.2% nationally. On the better side, modeled industrial-pollution burden sits in the bottom 2.4% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site is in the top 9.0% nationally. Distance to a community health center settles at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Distance to a nursing home resides at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Close by, ZIP 73526, just across the boundary, ranks 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 77%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 15%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 32%
8%
Disability
healthier than 23%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 77%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 90%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 9%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 29%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
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 74.8 ± 1.0 years. A median household income of $60,887 predicts 78.1 years — 3.4 years below.
Ranked #4,535 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 74.8 ± 1.0 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 77.2 years — 2.5 years below them.
Ranked #1,898 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
73526
Oklahomashares a border
Score 47.53
Closest healthier
73539
Oklahomashares a border
Score 49.50
Similar health profile
77575
Texas97% similar profile
Score 36.29
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 | 27.1% | 24.1–30.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.2% | 35.2–43.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.3% | 9.9–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.1% | 7.2–9.0 |
| Depression among adults | 24.7% | 21.1–28.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.6% | 11.9–15.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.6% | 33.5–41.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.7% | 33.2–48.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.3% | 13.3–19.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 14.6% | 12.6–16.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.8% | 73.0–78.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.4% | 73.7–80.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.1% | 81.1–85.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.9% | 55.0–66.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 56.4% | 52.3–60.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 70.1% | 60.5–77.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.1% | 11.5–16.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.5% | 14.3–18.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 34.8% | 30.1–39.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.7% | 33.6–47.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 23.1% | 20.4–25.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.8% | 15.8–19.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.0% | 13.2–16.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.1% | 16.2–20.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 40.2% | 35.7–44.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.2–10.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.2% | 9.1–11.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.8% | 15.6–19.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.5–5.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.5–7.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.3% | 21.6–29.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 21.8% | 19.2–24.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 18.6% | 16.3–21.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.2% | 14.2–18.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.9% | 27.9–38.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.0% | 10.6–13.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | OK median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (6.5–26.1%) n=643 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 19.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 19.4% (9.5–30.7%) n=643 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.9% (4.8–18.9%) n=644 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 24.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 18.4% (9.0–38.4%) n=644 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.3% (0.4–8.8%) n=643 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–9.0%) n=643 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 85.4% (70.2–95.0%) n=643 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 20.0% (9.5–31.0%) n=643 |
| Homeownership rate | 56.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.2% (56.5–91.0%) n=643 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.3% (0.0–6.1%) n=643 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 1.9% (0.0–9.3%) n=645 |
| Single-parent households | 46.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.7% (39.5–66.1%) n=640 |
| Population 65+ | 15.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.4% (11.9–29.5%) n=645 |
| Median age | 34.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 40.3 yr (33.1–52.0) n=642 |
| Median household income | $60,887 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,728 ($43,042–$88,542) n=616 |
| Median home value | $160,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $142,200 ($83,960–$248,900) n=615 |
| Median gross rent | $861 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $839 ($628–$1,136) n=546 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | OK median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 74.8 yr ± 0.52 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 77.2 yr (73.6–81.3) n=638 |
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 0.52 years of 74.8, 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