ZIP code
98404
in Tacoma, WashingtonPopulation 35,961
47.80/ 100
Ranked #19,180 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 40%)
Ranked #465 of 581 Washington ZIPs (bottom 20%)
Ranked #163 of 166 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ZIPs (bottom 1.9%)
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
857 units
in the top 1.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & 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
3.7 days/year
in the bottom 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
120 intersections/sq mi
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Transit access
3.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
57.8%
in the bottom 8.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
41.2%
in the top 12.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
97.3%
in the top 13.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
1.9%
in the top 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS85thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
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 ›The read
ZIP 98404, one of several in Tacoma, Washington, on the composite measure, lands in the bottom 40% nationally (19,180th) and the bottom 20% of Washington (465th).
Where this area is stretched, the data is unambiguous: modeled disaster risk sits in the top 4.3% nationally, expected annual loss registers in the top 4.4% nationally, and colon screening lands in the bottom 8.8% nationally. Crowded housing resides in the top 10.1% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site lies in the bottom 10.4% nationally. Better still, subsidized affordable housing settles in the top 1.9% nationally, and modeled humid heat stands in the bottom 2.2% nationally. Walkability is in the top 8.5% nationally, and transit rests in the top 8.8% nationally. Park land sits in the top 11.2% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 98402, 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 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 67%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 97%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 42%
11%
Disability
healthier than 40%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 86%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 49%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 5%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Disability
healthier than 19%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 74%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 12%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 20%
8%
Disability
healthier than 3%
7%
“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
2 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 75.7 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $82,191 predicts 79.3 years — 3.6 years below.
Ranked #4,810 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 75.7 ± 1.1 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.7 years — 3.0 years below them.
Ranked #2,410 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
98402
Washingtonshares a border
Score 49.74
Closest healthier
98408
Washingtonshares a border
Score 51.92
Similar health profile
80910
Colorado97% similar profile
Score 46.74
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 | 24.9% | 23.2–26.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.7% | 31.6–35.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.9% | 5.4–6.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 10.1–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.3–6.5 |
| Depression among adults | 25.7% | 23.7–27.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.9% | 11.7–14.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.5% | 33.3–37.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.2% | 36.0–42.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 17.5% | 15.1–20.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.6% | 11.2–13.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 69.3% | 66.9–71.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 69.3% | 66.8–71.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 80.1% | 78.4–81.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 57.8% | 54.9–60.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 55.0% | 52.6–57.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 69.2% | 64.5–73.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.4% | 13.8–17.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.3% | 12.7–15.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.5% | 22.2–26.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.2% | 38.4–44.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.4% | 20.5–24.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.6% | 18.0–21.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.6% | 14.2–16.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.5% | 17.0–19.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.1% | 32.7–37.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.6–10.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.3% | 13.0–15.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.3% | 4.0–4.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.6% (3.5–22.3%) n=583 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 13.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.2% (1.8–22.7%) n=582 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 15.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.0% (1.5–16.5%) n=588 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 21.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 27.4% (12.3–59.7%) n=588 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–9.7%) n=584 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.2%) n=580 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.7% (81.1–97.4%) n=580 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 37.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 28.9% (14.6–40.6%) n=580 |
| Homeownership rate | 68.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.2% (48.2–91.7%) n=580 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 6.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.6% (0.0–7.9%) n=580 |
| Foreign-born population | 20.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.7% (0.3–27.6%) n=588 |
| Single-parent households | 39.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (40.5–76.0%) n=574 |
| Population 65+ | 11.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (10.3–36.9%) n=588 |
| Median age | 35.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.0 yr (32.9–58.8) n=584 |
| Median household income | $82,191 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $84,646 ($56,217–$132,145) n=547 |
| Median home value | $413,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $452,750 ($241,540–$826,380) n=542 |
| Median gross rent | $1,483 | $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 | 75.7 yr ± 0.54 | 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 0.54 years of 75.7, 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