ZIP code
98422
in Tacoma, WashingtonPopulation 21,644
57.40/ 100
Ranked #6,882 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 21%)
Ranked #168 of 581 Washington ZIPs (top 29%)
Ranked #99 of 166 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ZIPs (bottom 40%)
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
3.8 days/year
in the bottom 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS2ndDefinition & 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 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.2 mi
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST16thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
1.5%
in the bottom 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST22ndUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST73rdUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
0.9 pCi/L
in the bottom 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS18thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, ZIP 98422, one of several in Tacoma, Washington sits in the top 21% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,882nd) and the top 29% of Washington (168th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: modeled humid heat lies in the bottom 2.3% nationally, modeled energy burden settles in the bottom 4.9% nationally, and home broadband subscription stands in the top 10.1% nationally. Household income is in the top 10.1% nationally, modeled coronary heart disease rests in the bottom 13.3% nationally, and park land sits in the top 14.6% nationally. Working the other way, modeled disaster risk registers in the top 2.4% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site lands in the bottom 7.8% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss resides in the top 9.7% nationally, and PFAS in drinking water lies in the top 15.0% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, expected annual loss runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain 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. 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. ZIP 98023, just across the boundary, 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 76%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 82%
11%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 79%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 67%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 62%
16%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 58%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 55%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 44%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 57%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 50%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 27%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 33%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 29%
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
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 its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 82.4 ± 2.0 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.7 years — 3.7 years above them.
Ranked #452 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
98003
Washingtonshares a border
Score 55.87
Closest healthier
98023
Washingtonshares a border
Score 60.57
Similar health profile
98203
Washington99% similar profile
Score 59.01
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 | 26.8% | 25.0–28.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.2% | 31.0–35.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.0% | 7.4–8.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.6% | 9.6–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Depression among adults | 25.1% | 23.0–27.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.0% | 9.9–12.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.4% | 35.2–39.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.2% | 32.2–38.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.0% | 7.6–10.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.1% | 6.1–8.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.4% | 69.9–74.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 72.5% | 70.1–74.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.7% | 84.3–87.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.2% | 62.4–67.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.5% | 66.4–70.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.0% | 68.7–76.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.1% | 14.4–17.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 17.7% | 15.8–19.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.1% | 33.4–38.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.8% | 14.3–17.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.5% | 15.1–17.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.1% | 11.9–14.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.8% | 12.5–15.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.8% | 26.6–31.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.4% | 10.3–12.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.8–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.6% (3.5–22.3%) n=583 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.3% | 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+) | 40.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 27.4% (12.3–59.7%) n=588 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–9.7%) n=584 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.2%) n=580 |
| Broadband subscription | 97.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.7% (81.1–97.4%) n=580 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 31.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 28.9% (14.6–40.6%) n=580 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.1% | 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 | 15.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.7% (0.3–27.6%) n=588 |
| Single-parent households | 51.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (40.5–76.0%) n=574 |
| Population 65+ | 17.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (10.3–36.9%) n=588 |
| Median age | 40.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.0 yr (32.9–58.8) n=584 |
| Median household income | $118,604 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $84,646 ($56,217–$132,145) n=547 |
| Median home value | $663,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $452,750 ($241,540–$826,380) n=542 |
| Median gross rent | $2,180 | $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 | 82.4 yr ± 1.04 | 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 1.04 years of 82.4, 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