ZIP code
99517
in Anchorage, AlaskaPopulation 16,486
55.58/ 100
Ranked #8,768 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 27%)
Ranked #24 of 211 Alaska ZIPs (top 11.4%)
Ranked #8 of 27 Anchorage, AK ZIPs (top 30%)
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.
Air-toxics cancer risk
59.3 per million
in the top 0.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›PFOA in drinking water
98.4%
in the top 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST79thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
130 intersections/sq mi
in the top 7.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & 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 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Transit access
2.7 per 1,000 residents
in the top 11.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & 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 ›Diabetes
9.1%
in the bottom 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST16thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
32.9%
in the bottom 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST45thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Mammography
69.8%
in the bottom 13.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS13thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, ZIP 99517, one of several in Anchorage, Alaska places in the top 27% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,768th) and the top 11.4% of Alaska (24th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
The data opens on a genuinely even set of readings: lead in tap water resides at the national minimum, and walkability is in the top 7.0% nationally. Transit lands in the top 11.5% nationally, and modeled diabetes stands in the bottom 9.4% nationally. Modeled high cholesterol registers in the bottom 9.1% nationally. On the other side, modeled air-toxics cancer risk settles in the top 0.4% nationally, modeled expected annual loss sits in the top 2.4% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water lies in the top 4.6% nationally. Modeled disaster risk rests in the top 9.0% nationally, and PFAS in drinking water resides in the top 11.9% nationally.
Beside the areas that surround it, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 99507, about 1.8 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.
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 84%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 69%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 72%
8%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 52%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
“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.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 59.3 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 82.0 ± 2.6 years.
Ranked #49 of the 4,173 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by modeled air-toxics risk, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
99501
Alaskashares a border
Score 47.97
Closest healthier
99507
Alaskaabout 1.8 mi away
Score 57.25
Similar health profile
80234
Colorado97% similar profile
Score 58.73
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 | 23.3% | 21.2–25.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.3% | 29.7–35.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.1% | 6.5–7.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.7% | 9.6–12.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.4% | 4.8–6.1 |
| Depression among adults | 21.3% | 18.9–24.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.9% | 30.2–35.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.4% | 30.7–38.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.8% | 7.2–10.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.6% | 7.5–9.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 69.1% | 66.2–72.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.8% | 68.8–74.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.0% | 80.1–83.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.3% | 59.7–66.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.0% | 61.3–66.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 69.8% | 63.8–75.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.4% | 15.3–19.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.6% | 12.0–15.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.3% | 17.0–22.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.5% | 31.1–38.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.0% | 15.3–19.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.5% | 14.1–17.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.1% | 10.9–13.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.6% | 11.3–14.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.9% | 24.3–29.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.1% | 9.9–12.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.8–4.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.1% | 21.6–26.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.9% | 10.4–13.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.2–9.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.8% | 7.0–8.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.0% | 29.9–36.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.4–8.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AK median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.7% (1.4–38.0%) n=230 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 20.8% (8.5–50.0%) n=225 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.4% (1.4–25.1%) n=230 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 42.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 15.0% (0.0–37.4%) n=230 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 8.6% (0.0–29.5%) n=226 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 31.1% (1.0–95.5%) n=228 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 84.8% (49.6–96.0%) n=228 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 17.0% (0.0–33.2%) n=228 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 71.7% (45.5–94.4%) n=228 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 8.5% (0.0–48.6%) n=228 |
| Foreign-born population | 12.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.8% (0.0–11.1%) n=231 |
| Single-parent households | 45.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 44.2% (18.7–68.2%) n=221 |
| Population 65+ | 15.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 12.7% (3.0–29.7%) n=231 |
| Median age | 39.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 35.7 yr (22.6–53.6) n=226 |
| Median household income | $103,880 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $66,823 ($39,905–$108,850) n=197 |
| Median home value | $402,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,500 ($66,830–$395,940) n=178 |
| Median gross rent | $1,364 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,078 ($688–$1,571) n=143 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | AK median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 82.0 yr ± 1.31 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 79.0 yr (75.1–84.7) n=222 |
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 1.31 years of 82.0, 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