ZIP code
98409
in Tacoma, WashingtonPopulation 27,843
48.16/ 100
Ranked #18,733 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 42%)
Ranked #452 of 581 Washington ZIPs (bottom 22%)
Ranked #162 of 166 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ZIPs (bottom 2.5%)
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.
Expected annual disaster loss
$1
in the top 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
3 days/year
in the bottom 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
471 units
in the top 4.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Transit access
5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
44.4%
in the bottom 6.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices located 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 ›Housing-cost burden
42.2%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Walkability
100 intersections/sq mi
in the top 9.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST63rdUS90thDefinition & 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 ›The read
ZIP 98409, one of several in Tacoma, Washington ranks in the bottom 42% nationally (18,733rd) and the bottom 22% of Washington (452nd).
A number of readings press hard on the profile and set its tone: modeled expected annual loss registers in the top 1.5% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site lies at the national minimum. Homeownership is in the bottom 6.6% nationally, and housing-cost burden registers in the top 7.8% nationally. Modeled disaster risk lies in the top 10.0% nationally. On the brighter side, modeled humid heat is in the bottom 1.8% nationally, subsidized affordable housing registers in the top 4.8% nationally, and transit lies in the top 5.1% nationally. Dental providers is in the top 6.7% nationally, and walkability registers in the top 9.9% nationally.
Against its neighbors, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, 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. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is 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 76%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 79%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 99%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 43%
14%
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 6%
8%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 93%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 56%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 43%
14%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 85%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 25%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 17%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 4%
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 74.8 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $73,348 predicts 78.9 years — 4.1 years below.
Ranked #5,104 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 74.8 ± 1.2 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 79.1 years — 4.3 years below them.
Ranked #3,155 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
98405
Washingtonshares a border
Score 54.02
Similar health profile
80915
Colorado97% similar profile
Score 50.05
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 | 23.5% | 21.9–24.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.6% | 29.7–33.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.5% | 5.1–6.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.8% | 10.7–12.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.5–5.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.2 |
| Depression among adults | 28.0% | 25.8–30.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.1% | 10.1–12.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.0% | 31.0–34.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.0% | 36.9–43.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.6% | 12.5–16.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.4% | 10.1–12.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 66.4% | 64.1–68.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 68.1% | 65.5–70.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 78.2% | 76.3–80.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.6% | 57.7–63.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 58.5% | 56.1–60.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 70.2% | 65.8–74.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.0% | 15.2–18.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.2% | 12.7–15.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.4% | 20.3–24.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.7% | 37.8–43.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.9% | 19.2–22.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 21.3% | 19.6–22.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.0% | 13.7–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.5% | 17.9–21.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.7% | 32.3–36.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.7–10.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.7–14.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.2–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.6% (3.5–22.3%) n=583 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.2% (1.8–22.7%) n=582 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.0% (1.5–16.5%) n=588 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 27.4% (12.3–59.7%) n=588 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–9.7%) n=584 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.2%) n=580 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.7% (81.1–97.4%) n=580 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 42.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 28.9% (14.6–40.6%) n=580 |
| Homeownership rate | 44.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.2% (48.2–91.7%) n=580 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.6% (0.0–7.9%) n=580 |
| Foreign-born population | 12.1% | 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+ | 10.4% | 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 | $73,348 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $84,646 ($56,217–$132,145) n=547 |
| Median home value | $394,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $452,750 ($241,540–$826,380) n=542 |
| Median gross rent | $1,645 | $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 | 74.8 yr ± 0.59 | 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 0.59 years of 74.8, 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