ZIP code
98226
in Bellingham, WashingtonPopulation 46,782
56.63/ 100
Ranked #7,613 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 24%)
Ranked #186 of 581 Washington ZIPs (top 32%)
Ranked #5 of 16 Bellingham, WA ZIPs (top 31%)
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
1,208 units
in the top 1.0% 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 ›Humid extreme heat
3.5 days/year
in the bottom 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS96thDefinition & 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
5.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
63.5%
in the top 6.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Obesity
27%
in the bottom 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.1 mi
in the bottom 7.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST16thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, ZIP 98226, one of several in Bellingham, Washington ranks in the top 24% healthiest ZIPs nationally (7,613th) and the top 32% of Washington (186th).
Strengths and concerns sit side by side across the measures here: subsidized affordable housing registers in the top 1.0% nationally, and modeled humid heat sits in the bottom 2.0% nationally. Transit rests in the top 4.9% nationally, and modeled obesity is in the bottom 9.2% nationally. Modeled short sleep stands in the bottom 10.5% nationally. On the other hand, modeled expected annual loss settles in the top 4.0% nationally, disaster risk lies in the top 5.2% nationally, and pfas resides in the top 6.7% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site lands in the bottom 7.5% nationally, and housing-cost burden registers in the top 11.1% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 98229, 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. Compare it against the US, this state and the Bellingham, 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 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 88%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 56%
14%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 62%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.00%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 53%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 47%
8%
Disability
healthier than 40%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
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
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 81.0 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $79,375 predicts 79.2 years — 1.8 years above.
Ranked #1,060 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
98220
Washingtonshares a border
Score 53.16
Closest healthier
98229
Washingtonshares a border
Score 61.09
Similar health profile
98604
Washington98% similar profile
Score 56.00
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 | 25.7% | 23.6–27.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.9% | 27.4–32.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.9% | 8.2–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.8–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.5–6.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.4 |
| Depression among adults | 29.0% | 26.2–31.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.5% | 8.4–10.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.2% | 31.4–37.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 27.0% | 23.5–30.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 3.1–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.3% | 8.5–12.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.1% | 7.1–9.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.8% | 70.0–75.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.2% | 68.2–74.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.3% | 81.5–84.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.2% | 64.5–71.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.8% | 61.0–66.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.9% | 69.2–79.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.1% | 14.9–19.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.6% | 10.2–13.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 17.8% | 15.6–20.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.2% | 26.8–33.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.3% | 15.6–19.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.7% | 16.0–19.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.5% | 12.2–14.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.9% | 13.5–16.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.6% | 27.9–33.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.8% | 7.1–8.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.7–13.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.6% (3.5–22.3%) n=583 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.2% (1.8–22.7%) n=582 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.0% (1.5–16.5%) n=588 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 39.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 27.4% (12.3–59.7%) n=588 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–9.7%) n=584 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.9% | 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) | 39.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 28.9% (14.6–40.6%) n=580 |
| Homeownership rate | 62.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.2% (48.2–91.7%) n=580 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.6% (0.0–7.9%) n=580 |
| Foreign-born population | 10.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.7% (0.3–27.6%) n=588 |
| Single-parent households | 59.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (40.5–76.0%) n=574 |
| Population 65+ | 20.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (10.3–36.9%) n=588 |
| Median age | 41.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.0 yr (32.9–58.8) n=584 |
| Median household income | $79,375 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $84,646 ($56,217–$132,145) n=547 |
| Median home value | $607,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $452,750 ($241,540–$826,380) n=542 |
| Median gross rent | $1,620 | $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 | 81.0 yr ± 0.60 | 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 0.60 years of 81.0, 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