ZIP code
77550
in Galveston, TexasPopulation 23,489
44.37/ 100
Ranked #23,052 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 28%)
Ranked #1,048 of 1,868 Texas ZIPs (bottom 44%)
Ranked #152 of 237 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX ZIPs (bottom 36%)
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
79.6%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
8.6%
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Uninsured (under 65)
18.6%
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST62ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
0 ppb
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
US1stDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›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 ›Homeownership rate
40%
in the bottom 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
395 units
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›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 flood exposure and the share of households without a vehicle.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
In overall standing, ZIP 77550, one of several in Galveston, Texas comes out in the bottom 28% nationally (23,052nd) and the bottom 44% of Texas (1,048th).
The profile opens on the burdens that define it most: floodplain exposure lands in the top 1.2% nationally, modeled expected annual loss is in the top 3.0% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure resides in the top 4.4% nationally. Modeled uninsured rests in the top 5.8% nationally, modeled tree cover lies at the national minimum, and homeownership sits in the bottom 5.3% nationally. More positively, walkability settles in the top 3.7% nationally, and lead in tap water registers at the national minimum. Distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 6.0% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 77551, 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
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 84%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 44%
8%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 23%
11%
Disability
healthier than 23%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 8%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 72%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 44%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 94%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 15%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 26%
8%
Disability
healthier than 26%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
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 75.3 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $45,047 predicts 76.9 years — 1.6 years below.
Ranked #2,019 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 75.3 ± 1.4 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.0 years — 2.7 years below them.
Ranked #2,113 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
77551
Texasshares a border
Score 47.74
Closest healthier
77554
Texasshares a border
Score 57.45
Similar health profile
77414
Texas99% similar profile
Score 40.03
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 | 26.8% | 23.8–29.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.7% | 36.7–44.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.1% | 6.4–7.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.8–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.0 |
| Depression among adults | 22.2% | 18.9–25.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.0% | 14.2–18.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.3% | 33.2–41.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.9% | 30.4–45.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.6% | 12.6–18.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 18.6% | 16.6–20.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.8% | 75.2–80.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.4% | 71.7–78.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.6% | 82.9–86.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.7% | 55.6–65.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 51.5% | 47.9–55.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.7% | 65.2–79.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.0% | 13.2–19.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.4% | 13.4–17.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.5% | 27.1–35.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.5% | 34.6–44.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.1% | 23.3–28.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.1% | 16.1–19.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.8–17.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.7% | 14.9–18.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.7% | 31.5–39.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.5% | 16.5–20.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.3–6.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.3–8.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | TX median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 26.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 12.4% (3.5–26.4%) n=1,869 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 25.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 22.3% (8.2–41.5%) n=1,862 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.2% (2.5–30.0%) n=1,881 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 34.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.9% (9.0–51.4%) n=1,881 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.4%) n=1,865 |
| Households without a vehicle | 14.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.8%) n=1,868 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (75.0–97.3%) n=1,868 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 42.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 26.2% (8.8–40.3%) n=1,868 |
| Homeownership rate | 40.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (46.4–92.3%) n=1,868 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 3.1% (0.0–9.0%) n=1,868 |
| Foreign-born population | 13.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.1% (0.1–26.4%) n=1,886 |
| Single-parent households | 48.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.5% (34.3–70.6%) n=1,861 |
| Population 65+ | 20.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 16.1% (8.6–30.1%) n=1,886 |
| Median age | 39.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 38.3 yr (30.9–52.3) n=1,866 |
| Median household income | $45,047 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $69,983 ($46,006–$112,413) n=1,737 |
| Median home value | $325,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $210,500 ($97,060–$429,760) n=1,693 |
| Median gross rent | $1,205 | $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 | 75.3 yr ± 0.69 | 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 0.69 years of 75.3, 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