ZIP code
98685
in Vancouver, WashingtonPopulation 30,607
61.37/ 100
Ranked #3,892 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 12.2%)
Ranked #87 of 581 Washington ZIPs (top 15.0%)
Ranked #12 of 120 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ZIPs (top 10.0%)
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.
Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
1.3%
in the bottom 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST14thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Median household income
$130,972
in the top 6.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
28.8%
in the bottom 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST20thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
377 units
in the top 6.4% 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 ›Fatal road crashes
2.3 per 100,000 residents per year
in the bottom 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST14thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
88.2%
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was 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 ›PFOS in drinking water
88.2%
in the top 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was 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 ›Poverty rate
3.3%
in the bottom 10.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
5.9%
in the bottom 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 98685, one of several in Vancouver, Washington, on the composite measure, lands in the top 12.2% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,892nd) and the top 15.0% of Washington (87th).
What works most in this area's favor shows up clearly across the measures: modeled energy burden sits in the bottom 2.4% nationally, household income registers in the top 6.8% nationally, and modeled short sleep lands in the bottom 5.2% nationally. Subsidized affordable housing resides in the top 6.4% nationally, fatal road crashes lies in the bottom 7.9% nationally, and park land settles in the top 10.7% nationally. Poverty stands in the bottom 10.9% nationally. Working the other way, modeled industrial-pollution burden is in the top 5.2% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water rests in the top 9.4% nationally. PFOS in drinking water sits in the top 9.7% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. PFOS in drinking water is a common one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 97210, about 7.2 miles away.
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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-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 78%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 95%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Disability
healthier than 88%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 69%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 48%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 35%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 61%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 88%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 81%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 81%
11%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 50%
8%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 75%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 87%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 82%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
98642
Washingtonshares a border
Score 59.47
Closest healthier
97210
Oregonabout 7.2 mi away
Score 61.48
Similar health profile
98392
Washington99% similar profile
Score 55.77
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% | 24.9–29.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.3% | 29.1–33.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.9–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.4–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–6.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.7 |
| Depression among adults | 26.1% | 23.9–28.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.8% | 32.4–37.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.5% | 30.3–36.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.7% | 5.4–7.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.8% | 5.0–6.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.8% | 71.2–76.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.2% | 68.8–73.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.0% | 85.7–88.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.0% | 66.8–72.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 71.7% | 69.3–73.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.5% | 72.9–81.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.2% | 14.4–18.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.1% | 7.9–10.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 16.9% | 15.0–19.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.8% | 25.8–31.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.4% | 13.0–16.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.4% | 15.0–18.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.2% | 11.1–13.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.8% | 10.7–13.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.2% | 23.1–27.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–7.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–3.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.6% (3.5–22.3%) n=583 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.2% (1.8–22.7%) n=582 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.0% (1.5–16.5%) n=588 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 42.2% | 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 | 2.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–10.2%) n=580 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.7% (81.1–97.4%) n=580 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 28.9% (14.6–40.6%) n=580 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.2% (48.2–91.7%) n=580 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.6% (0.0–7.9%) n=580 |
| Foreign-born population | 8.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.7% (0.3–27.6%) n=588 |
| Single-parent households | 47.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (40.5–76.0%) n=574 |
| Population 65+ | 18.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.9% (10.3–36.9%) n=588 |
| Median age | 44.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.0 yr (32.9–58.8) n=584 |
| Median household income | $130,972 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $84,646 ($56,217–$132,145) n=547 |
| Median home value | $599,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $452,750 ($241,540–$826,380) n=542 |
| Median gross rent | $1,664 | $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 | 80.7 yr ± 0.85 | 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 0.85 years of 80.7, 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