ZIP code
97603
in Klamath Falls, OregonPopulation 33,222
45.91/ 100
Ranked #21,446 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 33%)
Ranked #265 of 407 Oregon ZIPs (bottom 35%)
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.
Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
9.0%
in the top 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of days in the year when modeled fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution was above the EPA’s daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
16.1%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.5 mi
in the bottom 5.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST4thUS5thDefinition & 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 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Transit access
3.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST78thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
12.8 days/year
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST45thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›PFOS in drinking water
69.6%
in the top 14.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was 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 ›Radon
0.9 pCi/L
in the bottom 13.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS13thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
69.6%
in the top 34% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS66thDefinition & 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 ›The read
ZIP 97603, one of several in Klamath Falls, Oregon ranks in the bottom 33% nationally (21,446th) and the bottom 35% of Oregon (265th).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: transit lands in the top 9.3% nationally, and modeled humid heat settles in the bottom 9.7% nationally. Subsidized affordable housing rests in the top 11.0% nationally. Distance to a community health center lands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. By contrast, modeled fine-particle settles in the top 0.2% nationally, modeled transportation noise rests in the top 3.8% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site lands in the bottom 5.4% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss settles in the top 8.4% nationally, disaster risk rests in the top 10.7% nationally, and arsenic lands in the top 12.2% nationally.
Against its neighbors, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, fine-particle is fine airborne particles about one-thirtieth the width of a hair, counted on modeled days above the EPA standard. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 97625, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Risk Behavior
healthier than 70%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 87%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 56%
16%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 33%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 24%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 20%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 31%
8%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
“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
One of our published findings lists 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 76.8 ± 1.0 years. A median household income of $66,937 predicts 78.5 years — 1.7 years below.
Ranked #2,112 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
96023
Californiashares a border
Score 29.32
Closest healthier
97625
Oregonshares a border
Score 47.97
Similar health profile
97470
Oregon98% similar profile
Score 44.78
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 | 31.4% | 28.2–34.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.6% | 34.7–42.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.8–10.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.6% | 11.2–14.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–8.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.9% | 8.0–9.9 |
| Depression among adults | 27.4% | 23.7–31.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.2% | 11.5–15.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.8% | 31.8–40.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.0% | 30.5–44.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.8–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.8% | 13.7–20.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.0% | 8.6–11.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.1% | 69.9–76.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.3% | 69.5–77.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.1% | 81.2–85.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.7% | 59.4–69.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.6% | 56.7–64.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.2% | 68.4–82.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.0% | 12.4–17.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.6% | 12.6–16.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.4% | 21.4–29.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.1% | 27.3–39.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.5% | 19.8–25.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.7% | 16.6–20.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.2% | 14.3–18.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.7% | 14.9–18.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.3% | 31.1–39.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.7–10.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.7% | 14.7–18.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.4–6.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | OR median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 11.7% (4.7–26.4%) n=411 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.9% (0.9–19.7%) n=411 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.5% (1.2–16.6%) n=412 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 23.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.7% (11.1–49.6%) n=412 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.8% (0.0–10.0%) n=409 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.3% (0.0–10.0%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 90.4% (76.7–96.9%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 29.9% (14.6–42.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 70.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 73.5% (52.8–90.2%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.1% (0.0–6.7%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.0% (0.0–13.0%) n=412 |
| Single-parent households | 50.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.5% (43.5–77.1%) n=407 |
| Population 65+ | 20.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 22.5% (12.7–42.1%) n=412 |
| Median age | 38.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 45.1 yr (36.3–62.2) n=410 |
| Median household income | $66,937 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $72,301 ($49,007–$109,558) n=378 |
| Median home value | $282,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $413,900 ($238,120–$653,360) n=374 |
| Median gross rent | $1,022 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,252 ($807–$1,772) n=327 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | OR median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 76.8 yr ± 0.53 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 79.1 yr (76.4–82.0) n=409 |
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 0.53 years of 76.8, 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