ZIP code
97838
in Hermiston, OregonPopulation 28,512
49.50/ 100
Ranked #16,946 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 47%)
Ranked #193 of 407 Oregon ZIPs (top 47%)
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.
Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS97thDefinition & 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
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
21.7%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
409 units
in the top 5.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.7 mi
in the bottom 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
1.4%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST79thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.09%
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
32%
in the bottom 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
38.7 days/year
in the top 12.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›The read
Hermiston, Oregon (ZIP 97838) ranks in the bottom 47% nationally (16,946th) and the top 47% of Oregon (193rd).
A profile of give and take, with clear readings each way: distance to an emergency room settles at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Subsidized affordable housing rests in the top 5.8% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol lands in the bottom 6.6% nationally. On the other side, modeled expected annual loss settles in the top 3.1% nationally, tree cover rests at the national minimum, and arsenic lands in the top 5.6% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site settles in the bottom 6.3% nationally, modeled fine-particle rests in the top 7.4% nationally, and modeled disaster risk lands in the top 8.0% nationally. Modeled nitrate settles in the top 8.3% nationally.
Against its neighbors, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 97801, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 74%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Disability
healthier than 41%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 21%
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
97801
Oregonshares a border
Score 49.76
Closest healthier
97835
Oregonshares a border
Score 53.26
Similar health profile
98837
Washington97% similar profile
Score 50.01
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 | 27.0% | 24.1–30.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.4% | 27.9–35.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.1% | 10.7–13.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Depression among adults | 23.4% | 20.1–27.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.3% | 10.7–14.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.0% | 28.2–35.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.7% | 31.1–44.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.3% | 11.7–17.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.7% | 13.6–18.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.5% | 67.2–73.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.6% | 67.5–75.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 80.6% | 78.3–82.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.9% | 55.6–66.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 58.9% | 55.0–62.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.1% | 68.4–82.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.2% | 13.3–19.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.1% | 12.2–16.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.8% | 21.9–29.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.0% | 27.2–39.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 23.9% | 21.2–26.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.6% | 16.6–20.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.7% | 14.0–17.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.6% | 15.7–19.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.4% | 30.3–38.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.4–10.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.2% | 13.4–17.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.8–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | OR median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 11.7% (4.7–26.4%) n=411 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.9% (0.9–19.7%) n=411 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 21.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.5% (1.2–16.6%) n=412 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 23.7% (11.1–49.6%) n=412 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.8% (0.0–10.0%) n=409 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.3% (0.0–10.0%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 90.4% (76.7–96.9%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 29.9% (14.6–42.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 71.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 73.5% (52.8–90.2%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.1% (0.0–6.7%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 17.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.0% (0.0–13.0%) n=412 |
| Single-parent households | 45.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.5% (43.5–77.1%) n=407 |
| Population 65+ | 13.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 22.5% (12.7–42.1%) n=412 |
| Median age | 34.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 45.1 yr (36.3–62.2) n=410 |
| Median household income | $69,599 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $72,301 ($49,007–$109,558) n=378 |
| Median home value | $306,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $413,900 ($238,120–$653,360) n=374 |
| Median gross rent | $1,107 | $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 | 79.0 yr ± 0.56 | 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 0.56 years of 79.0, 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