ZIP code
98444
in Tacoma, WashingtonPopulation 35,754
46.02/ 100
Ranked #21,338 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 33%)
Ranked #502 of 581 Washington ZIPs (bottom 13.6%)
Ranked #165 of 166 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ZIPs (bottom 0.7%)
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.
Housing-cost burden
48.8%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
385 units
in the top 6.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
44%
in the bottom 6.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Transit access
3.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST82ndUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
110 intersections/sq mi
in the top 9.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS91stDefinition & 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 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST64thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Cognitive disability
19.6%
in the top 11.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
41.4%
in the top 11.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
96.6%
in the top 14.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS86thDefinition & 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 ›The read
By the composite measure, ZIP 98444, one of several in Tacoma, Washington sits in the bottom 33% nationally (21,338th) and the bottom 13.6% of Washington (502nd).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: subsidized affordable housing resides in the top 6.2% nationally, transit lies in the top 8.9% nationally, and walkability settles in the top 9.1% nationally. Distance to a community health center stands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Working the other way, housing-cost burden is in the top 3.6% nationally, and modeled expected annual loss rests in the top 5.5% nationally. Homeownership sits in the bottom 6.5% nationally, and modeled disaster risk registers in the top 9.8% nationally. Modeled cognitive disability lands in the top 11.1% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site resides in the bottom 11.1% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, 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. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. ZIP 98387, 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 66%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 76%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 56%
14%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 36%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 56%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Disability
healthier than 16%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 66%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 10%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 4%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 1%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 33%
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
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 75.2 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $65,342 predicts 78.4 years — 3.2 years below.
Ranked #4,377 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 75.2 ± 1.4 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.9 years — 3.7 years below them.
Ranked #2,863 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
98387
Washingtonshares a border
Score 50.75
Closest healthier
98404
Washingtonshares a border
Score 47.80
Similar health profile
80910
Colorado98% 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% | 31.5–35.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.8% | 5.4–6.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.6% | 10.5–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–6.8 |
| Depression among adults | 26.8% | 24.6–28.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.6% | 11.4–13.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.8% | 32.7–36.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.3% | 37.0–43.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.2–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.9% | 14.5–19.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.8% | 11.4–14.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 68.7% | 66.4–70.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 68.7% | 66.3–71.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 78.7% | 76.9–80.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.8% | 56.8–62.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 55.6% | 53.1–58.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 69.7% | 65.3–74.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.0% | 14.3–17.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.7% | 13.2–16.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.5% | 22.2–26.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.4% | 38.5–44.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.7% | 20.8–24.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.8% | 19.1–22.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.8% | 14.4–17.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.6% | 18.0–21.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.1% | 33.7–38.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.9% | 9.0–10.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.4% | 13.1–15.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.7–6.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.6% (3.5–22.3%) n=583 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 13.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.2% (1.8–22.7%) n=582 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.0% (1.5–16.5%) n=588 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 15.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 27.4% (12.3–59.7%) n=588 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–9.7%) n=584 |
| Households without a vehicle | 9.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.2%) n=580 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.7% (81.1–97.4%) n=580 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 48.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 28.9% (14.6–40.6%) n=580 |
| Homeownership rate | 44.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.2% (48.2–91.7%) n=580 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.6% (0.0–7.9%) n=580 |
| Foreign-born population | 19.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.7% (0.3–27.6%) n=588 |
| Single-parent households | 41.9% | 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 | 33.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.0 yr (32.9–58.8) n=584 |
| Median household income | $65,342 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $84,646 ($56,217–$132,145) n=547 |
| Median home value | $416,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $452,750 ($241,540–$826,380) n=542 |
| Median gross rent | $1,647 | $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 | 75.2 yr ± 0.70 | 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 0.70 years of 75.2, 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