ZIP code
77096
in Houston, TexasPopulation 35,032
52.68/ 100
Ranked #12,519 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 39%)
Ranked #385 of 1,868 Texas ZIPs (top 21%)
Ranked #81 of 237 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX ZIPs (top 34%)
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.
Floodplain exposure
68.5%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
16.7%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Walkability
170 intersections/sq mi
in the top 3.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
152.8 days/year
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
40 per million
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
44.9%
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both humid-heat days and flood exposure.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
Overall, ZIP 77096, one of several in Houston, Texas places in the top 39% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,519th) and the top 21% of Texas (385th).
The data opens on a genuinely even set of readings: walkability lands in the top 3.7% nationally. On the other side, floodplain exposure stands in the top 1.8% nationally, and modeled industrial-pollution burden registers in the top 2.2% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure settles in the top 2.3% nationally, modeled humid heat sits in the top 4.0% nationally, and modeled air-toxics cancer risk lies in the top 4.5% nationally. Modeled tree cover rests at the national minimum, PFAS in drinking water resides at the national maximum, and modeled expected annual loss is in the top 5.8% nationally. Homeownership lands in the bottom 6.8% nationally.
Beside the areas that surround it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 77025, 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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 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 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 77%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 62%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 19%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.2%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 79%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 79%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 85%
8%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 67%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 58%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 1%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 71%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 65%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 76%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 56%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Disability
healthier than 59%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.5%
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
3 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 what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 80.3 ± 0.9 years. A median household income of $82,852 predicts 79.3 years — 1.0 years above.
Ranked #1,446 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 15.1; chronic-disease standing 79.7 — 65 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,867 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, 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 80.3 ± 0.9 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
77025
Texasshares a border
Score 61.28
Closest healthier
77401
Texasshares a border
Score 69.26
Similar health profile
34117
Florida98% similar profile
Score 52.47
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 | 21.1% | 19.0–23.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.3% | 30.4–36.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.4–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.4 |
| Depression among adults | 20.0% | 17.6–22.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.4% | 11.0–13.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.2% | 33.0–39.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.7% | 30.6–39.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.3% | 9.6–13.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.3% | 13.8–17.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.6% | 72.9–78.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.5% | 72.6–78.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.9% | 84.3–87.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.4% | 57.6–65.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.4% | 54.6–60.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.3% | 67.2–78.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.4% | 14.1–18.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.2% | 9.8–12.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.2% | 20.4–26.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.3% | 34.8–41.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.9% | 17.0–20.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.6% | 14.0–17.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.9% | 10.7–13.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.6–15.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.1% | 26.2–32.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–6.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–8.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.3% | 11.9–14.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.5–6.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TX median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 12.4% (3.5–26.4%) n=1,869 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 19.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 22.3% (8.2–41.5%) n=1,862 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.2% (2.5–30.0%) n=1,881 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 54.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.9% (9.0–51.4%) n=1,881 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.4%) n=1,865 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.8%) n=1,868 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (75.0–97.3%) n=1,868 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 33.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 26.2% (8.8–40.3%) n=1,868 |
| Homeownership rate | 44.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (46.4–92.3%) n=1,868 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 6.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 3.1% (0.0–9.0%) n=1,868 |
| Foreign-born population | 22.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.1% (0.1–26.4%) n=1,886 |
| Single-parent households | 38.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.5% (34.3–70.6%) n=1,861 |
| Population 65+ | 14.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 16.1% (8.6–30.1%) n=1,886 |
| Median age | 36.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 38.3 yr (30.9–52.3) n=1,866 |
| Median household income | $82,852 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $69,983 ($46,006–$112,413) n=1,737 |
| Median home value | $432,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $210,500 ($97,060–$429,760) n=1,693 |
| Median gross rent | $1,278 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,154 ($764–$1,815) n=1,508 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TX median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 80.3 yr ± 0.46 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 78.2 yr (75.1–81.7) n=1,772 |
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 0.46 years of 80.3, 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