ZIP code
98136
in Seattle, WashingtonPopulation 17,252
68.50/ 100
Ranked #887 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 2.8%)
Ranked #28 of 581 Washington ZIPs (top 4.9%)
Ranked #28 of 166 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ZIPs (top 17%)
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
1,308 units
in the top 0.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$149,269
in the top 3.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS96thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Obesity
23.5%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
27%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 3.0% 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 ›Mobility disability
6.9%
in the bottom 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
0.96%
in the bottom 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Diabetes
6.7%
in the bottom 2.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Fair or poor health
10.6%
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, ZIP 98136, one of several in Seattle, Washington places in the top 2.8% healthiest ZIPs nationally (887th) and the top 4.9% of Washington (28th).
The data opens on a genuinely even set of readings: subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 0.9% nationally, and household income registers in the top 3.9% nationally. Modeled obesity settles in the bottom 3.6% nationally, and short sleep sits in the bottom 1.5% nationally. Modeled mobility disability lies in the bottom 1.8% nationally, energy burden rests in the bottom 0.9% nationally, and diabetes resides in the bottom 2.1% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health is in the bottom 1.4% nationally. On the other side, modeled industrial-pollution burden lands in the top 3.0% nationally, and expected annual loss stands in the top 3.7% nationally.
Beside the areas that surround it, industrial-pollution burden runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 98101, about 3.6 miles away.
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 95%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.04%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 98%
11%
Disability
healthier than 98%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 87%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 1.0%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 88%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 90%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 81%
8%
Disability
healthier than 93%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 98%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 91%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 87%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 75%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
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
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 83.3 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $149,269 predicts 81.7 years — 1.6 years above.
Ranked #1,173 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 83.3 ± 1.4 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 81.0 years — 2.3 years above them.
Ranked #1,257 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 9.4 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 95.0 (top 10%) — 86 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,597 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
98116
Washingtonshares a border
Score 65.86
Closest healthier
98101
Washingtonabout 3.6 mi away
Score 70.15
Similar health profile
55441
Minnesota97% similar profile
Score 64.57
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 | 22.2% | 20.8–23.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 27.5% | 25.8–29.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.7% | 8.1–9.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.5–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.1% | 3.8–4.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.8 |
| Depression among adults | 25.6% | 23.9–27.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.4% | 33.6–37.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 23.5% | 21.3–25.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.2% | 2.1–2.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 3.3% | 2.8–3.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.8% | 4.2–5.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 69.4% | 67.1–71.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 72.1% | 70.2–74.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.1% | 88.0–90.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.3% | 67.1–71.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 76.8% | 75.2–78.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.3% | 76.1–82.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.3% | 16.8–19.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 6.4% | 5.6–7.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 11.1% | 10.0–12.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 27.0% | 25.0–29.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 10.6% | 9.7–11.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.9–15.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 9.5% | 8.7–10.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.8–10.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 19.3% | 17.8–20.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.3–5.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.1–5.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.2–7.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.2% | 2.0–2.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.7% | 2.4–2.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.6% (3.5–22.3%) n=583 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.2% (1.8–22.7%) n=582 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.0% (1.5–16.5%) n=588 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 67.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 27.4% (12.3–59.7%) n=588 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–9.7%) n=584 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.2%) n=580 |
| Broadband subscription | 97.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.7% (81.1–97.4%) n=580 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 28.9% (14.6–40.6%) n=580 |
| Homeownership rate | 64.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.2% (48.2–91.7%) n=580 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.6% (0.0–7.9%) n=580 |
| Foreign-born population | 10.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.7% (0.3–27.6%) n=588 |
| Single-parent households | 53.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (40.5–76.0%) n=574 |
| Population 65+ | 16.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (10.3–36.9%) n=588 |
| Median age | 40.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.0 yr (32.9–58.8) n=584 |
| Median household income | $149,269 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $84,646 ($56,217–$132,145) n=547 |
| Median home value | $925,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $452,750 ($241,540–$826,380) n=542 |
| Median gross rent | $1,965 | $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 | 83.3 yr ± 0.71 | 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 0.71 years of 83.3, 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