ZIP code
98121
in Seattle, WashingtonPopulation 21,166
70.85/ 100
Ranked #441 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 1.4%)
Ranked #16 of 581 Washington ZIPs (top 2.8%)
Ranked #16 of 166 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ZIPs (top 9.7%)
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
2,118 units
in the top 0.3% 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 ›High blood pressure
19.7%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Obesity
20.3%
in the bottom 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
4.4%
in the bottom 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
2.5%
in the bottom 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
4.8%
in the bottom 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
31.2%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Stroke
1.4%
in the bottom 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
27.6%
in the bottom 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
3.1%
in the bottom 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
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 its overall standing, ZIP 98121, one of several in Seattle, Washington lands in the top 1.4% healthiest ZIPs nationally (441st) and the top 2.8% of Washington (16th).
Reading the numbers as a whole, the picture lands somewhere in between: subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 0.3% nationally, modeled high blood pressure lies in the bottom 1.3% nationally, and modeled obesity stands in the bottom 1.1% nationally. Modeled mobility disability rests in the bottom 0.7% nationally, coronary heart disease registers in the bottom 1.2% nationally, and diabetes resides in the bottom 1.1% nationally. Modeled stroke settles in the bottom 1.2% nationally, and high cholesterol is in the bottom 1.9% nationally. Modeled hearing disability sits in the bottom 1.0% nationally. On the other side, modeled transportation noise lands in the top 1.1% nationally.
Against the wider neighborhood, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put simply, subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. On the overall standing, ZIP 98109, just across the boundary, ranks healthier.
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
in the top 0.8%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.03%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 97%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
in the top 0.3%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 1%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 29%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 98%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.5%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 89%
8%
Disability
healthier than 99%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 97%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 99%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 87%
8%
Disability
healthier than 96%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 4%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 2%
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
4 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 78.4 ± 1.9 years. A median household income of $152,019 predicts 81.7 years — 3.4 years below.
Ranked #4,544 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 78.4 ± 1.9 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 81.7 years — 3.3 years below them.
Ranked #2,606 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 1.4 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 99.3 (top 1%) — 98 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #18,172 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 40.5 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 78.4 ± 1.9 years.
Ranked #418 of the 4,173 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by modeled air-toxics risk, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
98101
Washingtonshares a border
Score 70.15
Closest healthier
98109
Washingtonshares a border
Score 72.15
Similar health profile
94710
California97% similar profile
Score 63.93
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 | 12.9% | 12.1–13.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 19.7% | 18.5–21.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.9% | 8.2–9.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 2.5% | 2.3–2.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 2.2% | 2.0–2.5 |
| Depression among adults | 23.2% | 21.5–24.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 27.6% | 26.1–29.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 20.3% | 18.3–22.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 1.4% | 1.3–1.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 4.8% | 4.0–5.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.7% | 4.9–6.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 58.1% | 56.1–60.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 65.5% | 63.4–67.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.7% | 81.2–84.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.3% | 66.0–70.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 71.4% | 69.6–73.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.0% | 74.8–81.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.4% | 17.9–21.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 10.8% | 9.6–12.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.9% | 26.8–31.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 9.5% | 8.6–10.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.3% | 13.2–15.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 7.4% | 6.8–8.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.0% | 9.1–11.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 16.5% | 15.2–18.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–4.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 1.6% | 1.5–1.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.5% | 2.2–2.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.6% (3.5–22.3%) n=583 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.2% (1.8–22.7%) n=582 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.0% (1.5–16.5%) n=588 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 78.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 27.4% (12.3–59.7%) n=588 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–9.7%) n=584 |
| Households without a vehicle | 45.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.2%) n=580 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.7% (81.1–97.4%) n=580 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 28.9% (14.6–40.6%) n=580 |
| Homeownership rate | 22.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.2% (48.2–91.7%) n=580 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.6% (0.0–7.9%) n=580 |
| Foreign-born population | 42.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.7% (0.3–27.6%) n=588 |
| Single-parent households | 87.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (40.5–76.0%) n=574 |
| Population 65+ | 10.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (10.3–36.9%) n=588 |
| Median age | 33.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.0 yr (32.9–58.8) n=584 |
| Median household income | $152,019 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $84,646 ($56,217–$132,145) n=547 |
| Median home value | $848,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $452,750 ($241,540–$826,380) n=542 |
| Median gross rent | $2,337 | $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 | 78.4 yr ± 0.99 | 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 0.99 years of 78.4, 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