ZIP code
98408
in Tacoma, WashingtonPopulation 21,009
51.92/ 100
Ranked #13,563 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 42%)
Ranked #349 of 581 Washington ZIPs (bottom 40%)
Ranked #145 of 166 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ZIPs (bottom 12.7%)
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.
Humid extreme heat
3.3 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 ›Transit access
6.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Lead in tap water
0 ppb
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
US1stDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›Walkability
140 intersections/sq mi
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Elder-services access
0.19 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.1 mi
in the bottom 7.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST15thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Housing-cost burden
41.3%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Unemployment rate
9.9%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
39.4%
in the top 21% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS79thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, ZIP 98408, one of several in Tacoma, Washington ranks in the top 42% healthiest ZIPs nationally (13,563rd) and the bottom 40% of Washington (349th).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: modeled humid heat settles in the bottom 2.0% nationally, and transit resides in the top 3.4% nationally. Lead in tap water registers at the national minimum, and walkability rests in the top 5.6% nationally. Elder services stands in the top 7.3% nationally. Set against that, distance to a Superfund site lies in the bottom 7.4% nationally, housing-cost burden lands in the top 8.7% nationally, and modeled expected annual loss sits in the top 9.2% nationally. Unemployment is in the top 9.8% nationally, and modeled disaster risk settles in the top 12.5% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Close by, ZIP 98421, about 1.3 miles away, ranks healthier overall.
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 73%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 98%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 47%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 58%
11%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 89%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 64%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 52%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 30%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 10%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 24%
8%
Disability
healthier than 36%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 52%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 23%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 7%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 24%
8%
Disability
healthier than 12%
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 76.5 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $80,899 predicts 79.2 years — 2.8 years below.
Ranked #3,836 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 76.5 ± 1.3 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.9 years — 2.4 years below them.
Ranked #1,882 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
98404
Washingtonshares a border
Score 47.80
Closest healthier
98421
Washingtonabout 1.3 mi away
Score 55.60
Similar health profile
80905
Colorado98% similar profile
Score 50.99
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 | 25.8% | 24.0–27.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.0% | 31.0–35.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 10.2–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–5.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.1 |
| Depression among adults | 26.5% | 24.4–28.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.4% | 10.3–12.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.5% | 33.4–37.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.8% | 34.6–40.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.3% | 10.5–14.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.6% | 8.4–10.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.1% | 67.7–72.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 70.1% | 67.7–72.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.4% | 80.7–83.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.0% | 61.2–66.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.0% | 58.6–63.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.7% | 68.4–76.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.6% | 14.8–18.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.6% | 11.3–13.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.5% | 18.5–22.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.4% | 36.6–42.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.8% | 17.2–20.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.8% | 17.3–20.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.4% | 13.2–15.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.7% | 15.3–18.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.4% | 30.2–34.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–8.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.8% | 11.6–14.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.4–5.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.6% (3.5–22.3%) n=583 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.2% (1.8–22.7%) n=582 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.0% (1.5–16.5%) n=588 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 25.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 27.4% (12.3–59.7%) n=588 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 9.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–9.7%) n=584 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.2%) n=580 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.7% (81.1–97.4%) n=580 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 41.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 28.9% (14.6–40.6%) n=580 |
| Homeownership rate | 71.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.2% (48.2–91.7%) n=580 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.6% (0.0–7.9%) n=580 |
| Foreign-born population | 12.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.7% (0.3–27.6%) n=588 |
| Single-parent households | 46.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (40.5–76.0%) n=574 |
| Population 65+ | 14.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (10.3–36.9%) n=588 |
| Median age | 38.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.0 yr (32.9–58.8) n=584 |
| Median household income | $80,899 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $84,646 ($56,217–$132,145) n=547 |
| Median home value | $410,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $452,750 ($241,540–$826,380) n=542 |
| Median gross rent | $1,654 | $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 | 76.5 yr ± 0.64 | 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 0.64 years of 76.5, 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