ZIP code
98118
in Seattle, WashingtonPopulation 50,500
63.93/ 100
Ranked #2,490 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 7.8%)
Ranked #56 of 581 Washington ZIPs (top 9.7%)
Ranked #55 of 166 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ZIPs (top 33%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
2,702 units
in the top 0.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
24.1%
in the bottom 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
0.00%
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.1 mi
in the bottom 3.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
6.2 days/year
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST30thUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Hearing disability
4.6%
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
1.3%
in the bottom 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
4.4%
in the bottom 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, ZIP 98118, one of several in Seattle, Washington stands in the top 7.8% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,490th) and the top 9.7% of Washington (56th).
A profile of give and take, with clear readings each way: subsidized affordable housing is in the top 0.2% nationally, and modeled obesity registers in the bottom 4.3% nationally. Floodplain exposure lies at the national minimum, and modeled humid heat is in the bottom 4.0% nationally. Modeled hearing disability registers in the bottom 4.0% nationally, energy burden lies in the bottom 2.8% nationally, and coronary heart disease is in the bottom 5.1% nationally. On the other side, modeled expected annual loss registers in the top 2.4% nationally, modeled industrial-pollution burden lies in the top 2.8% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site is in the bottom 3.9% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. ZIP 98040, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 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 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.7%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 94%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the top 0.6%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 26%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 97%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 75%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 87%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 98%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 92%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 62%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 84%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 94%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 49%
13%
Disability
healthier than 55%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
“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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 78.8 ± 0.9 years. A median household income of $113,762 predicts 80.6 years — 1.7 years below.
Ranked #2,184 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 78.8 ± 0.9 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 81.6 years — 2.8 years below them.
Ranked #2,194 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 6.5 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 93.1 (top 10%) — 87 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,663 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
98040
Washingtonshares a border
Score 71.97
Closest healthier
98144
Washingtonshares a border
Score 65.34
Similar health profile
80401
Colorado99% similar profile
Score 60.97
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 | 19.9% | 18.7–21.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.1% | 28.5–31.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.6% | 5.2–6.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 9.3–11.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
| Depression among adults | 22.2% | 20.6–23.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.7% | 8.9–10.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.1% | 33.3–36.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 24.1% | 22.0–26.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.4% | 8.9–11.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.1% | 7.2–9.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.2% | 68.3–72.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.3% | 69.4–73.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.9–86.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.7% | 60.4–65.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.6% | 63.7–67.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.0% | 73.7–80.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.0% | 13.7–16.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.7% | 7.8–9.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 17.7% | 16.2–19.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.4% | 30.2–34.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.7% | 14.6–16.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.3% | 14.2–16.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.8% | 10.0–11.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.2% | 11.3–13.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 23.5% | 22.0–25.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.7–6.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.4–10.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.9–3.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.6% (3.5–22.3%) n=583 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.2% (1.8–22.7%) n=582 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.0% (1.5–16.5%) n=588 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 51.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 27.4% (12.3–59.7%) n=588 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–9.7%) n=584 |
| Households without a vehicle | 12.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.2%) n=580 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.7% (81.1–97.4%) n=580 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 35.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 28.9% (14.6–40.6%) n=580 |
| Homeownership rate | 57.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.2% (48.2–91.7%) n=580 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.6% (0.0–7.9%) n=580 |
| Foreign-born population | 27.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.7% (0.3–27.6%) n=588 |
| Single-parent households | 40.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (40.5–76.0%) n=574 |
| Population 65+ | 14.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (10.3–36.9%) n=588 |
| Median age | 38.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.0 yr (32.9–58.8) n=584 |
| Median household income | $113,762 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $84,646 ($56,217–$132,145) n=547 |
| Median home value | $810,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $452,750 ($241,540–$826,380) n=542 |
| Median gross rent | $1,839 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,416 ($840–$2,197) n=476 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 78.8 yr ± 0.45 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 80.2 yr (77.3–83.1) n=584 |
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 0.45 years of 78.8, 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