ZIP code
78656
in Maxwell, TexasPopulation 2,847
43.34/ 100
Ranked #24,072 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 25%)
Ranked #1,164 of 1,868 Texas ZIPs (bottom 38%)
Ranked #83 of 89 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX ZIPs (bottom 6.8%)
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)
27.5%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
51.9%
in the bottom 2.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
81.2%
in the top 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
91.5 days/year
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST79thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
154.8 days/year
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Crowded housing
10.0%
in the top 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.25%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams per liter.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.6 pCi/L
in the bottom 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Obesity
43.1%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Lithium in drinking water
11 µg/L
in the bottom 13.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
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 ›The read
By the composite health measure, Maxwell, Texas (ZIP 78656) ranks in the bottom 25% nationally (24,072nd) and the bottom 38% of Texas (1,164th).
A number of measures mark where this area is under strain: modeled uninsured sits in the top 1.6% nationally, and colon screening is in the bottom 2.8% nationally. Modeled pfas settles in the top 1.7% nationally, and extreme heat resides in the top 2.5% nationally. Modeled humid heat registers in the top 3.4% nationally, crowded housing rests in the top 4.6% nationally, and modeled nitrate stands in the top 7.8% nationally. Modeled mammography lies in the bottom 10.1% nationally, and vision disability lands in the top 10.6% nationally. On the brighter side, modeled radon sits in the bottom 1.6% nationally.
To spell things out, pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Close by, ZIP 78640, 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. Compare it against the US, this state and the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, 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 65%
21%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 60%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 35%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 3%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Mental Health
healthier than 64%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 54%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 40%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 27%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 30%
11%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 17%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 5%
11%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 20%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
78640
Texasshares a border
Score 53.08
Closest healthier
78644
Texasshares a border
Score 46.54
Similar health profile
78073
Texas98% similar profile
Score 42.73
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 | 22.7% | 19.9–25.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.9% | 30.8–39.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.6 |
| Depression among adults | 20.8% | 17.7–24.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.4% | 13.5–17.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.8% | 32.6–41.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.1% | 34.9–51.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.2–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.9% | 14.1–19.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 27.5% | 24.2–31.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.6% | 71.5–77.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 72.4% | 68.2–76.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.1% | 80.9–85.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 51.9% | 46.7–57.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 45.6% | 42.1–49.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 68.9% | 60.5–76.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.7% | 13.7–20.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.9% | 12.8–17.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 34.4% | 29.4–39.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.1% | 31.5–44.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 28.0% | 24.8–31.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.4% | 15.3–19.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.8% | 13.9–17.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.5% | 15.4–19.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.5% | 31.1–40.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.8% | 8.6–11.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.2% | 15.0–19.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–5.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.2 |
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 | 23.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 22.3% (8.2–41.5%) n=1,862 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 18.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.2% (2.5–30.0%) n=1,881 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 23.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.9% (9.0–51.4%) n=1,881 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.4%) n=1,865 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.8%) n=1,868 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.2% (75.0–97.3%) n=1,868 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 31.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 26.2% (8.8–40.3%) n=1,868 |
| Homeownership rate | 69.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (46.4–92.3%) n=1,868 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 10.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 3.1% (0.0–9.0%) n=1,868 |
| Foreign-born population | 16.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.1% (0.1–26.4%) n=1,886 |
| Single-parent households | 49.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.5% (34.3–70.6%) n=1,861 |
| Population 65+ | 8.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 16.1% (8.6–30.1%) n=1,886 |
| Median age | 32.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 38.3 yr (30.9–52.3) n=1,866 |
| Median household income | $81,346 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $69,983 ($46,006–$112,413) n=1,737 |
| Median home value | $238,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $210,500 ($97,060–$429,760) n=1,693 |
| Median gross rent | $1,629 | $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 | 78.0 yr ± 0.68 | 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 0.68 years of 78.0, 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