ZIP code
19801
in Wilmington, DelawarePopulation 16,327
35.37/ 100
Ranked #29,248 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 8.8%)
Ranked #64 of 64 Delaware ZIPs (bottom 1.6%)
Ranked #337 of 361 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ZIPs (bottom 6.7%)
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.
Air-toxics cancer risk
53.4 per million
in the top 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Civic-institution access
2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Transit access
9.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
1.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
45.4%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
20.5%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
30%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
7.3%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
27.4%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both flood exposure and the share of households without a vehicle.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, ZIP 19801, one of several in Wilmington, Delaware ranks in the bottom 8.8% nationally (29,248th) and the bottom 1.6% of Delaware (64th).
The measures that press hardest set the tone here: modeled air-toxics cancer risk rests in the top 0.5% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water is at the national maximum. Modeled short sleep stands in the top 2.6% nationally, and utility shutoff settles in the top 2.3% nationally. Households without a vehicle lies in the top 2.4% nationally, modeled self-care disability resides in the top 4.7% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity lands in the top 2.7% nationally. On the stronger side, civic registers in the top 1.1% nationally, transit sits in the top 1.5% nationally, and childcare rests in the top 1.7% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, civic runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 19720, 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 22%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 6%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 13%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 23%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 2%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 8%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 94%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 2%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.8%
8%
Disability
healthier than 3%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 5%
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
3 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 72.6 ± 1.6 years. A median household income of $52,810 predicts 77.6 years — 4.9 years below.
Ranked #5,521 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 72.6 ± 1.6 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 79.2 years — 6.5 years below them.
Ranked #3,609 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 53.4 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 72.6 ± 1.6 years.
Ranked #79 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
19720
Delawareshares a border
Score 49.60
Closest healthier
19802
Delawareshares a border
Score 44.49
Similar health profile
66713
Kansas98% similar profile
Score 38.31
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 | 26.4% | 23.7–29.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.4% | 38.9–45.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.9% | 11.4–14.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.1 |
| Depression among adults | 22.0% | 18.9–25.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 17.9% | 16.0–19.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.3% | 32.7–39.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 44.5% | 38.1–50.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.2% | 4.8–5.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 26.0% | 22.1–30.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.7% | 11.7–15.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.5% | 71.9–77.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.2% | 76.0–82.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.0% | 80.8–85.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.2% | 55.7–64.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 46.1% | 42.3–49.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.4% | 70.4–82.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.8% | 10.8–15.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.7% | 17.3–22.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 37.8% | 33.3–42.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 45.4% | 40.1–50.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 29.5% | 26.6–32.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.6% | 18.3–22.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.7–18.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.7% | 17.5–21.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 38.7% | 34.5–42.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–5.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 13.4% | 12.1–14.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.8% | 18.7–22.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.7–8.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.8–10.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.3% | 25.9–33.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 35.3% | 32.1–38.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 36.8% | 33.2–40.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 27.4% | 24.6–30.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 18.5% | 16.6–20.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.4% | 33.5–41.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 20.5% | 18.2–23.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | DE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 25.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.2% (2.4–16.7%) n=62 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.8% (3.2–18.9%) n=63 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 15.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.1% (3.2–15.9%) n=63 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 29.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.1% (13.0–59.9%) n=63 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.9–8.9%) n=63 |
| Households without a vehicle | 30.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–9.1%) n=62 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.8% (85.5–97.0%) n=62 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 39.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (17.0–38.0%) n=62 |
| Homeownership rate | 30.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.6% (59.5–92.0%) n=62 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–4.8%) n=62 |
| Foreign-born population | 10.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 7.1% (1.1–16.0%) n=64 |
| Single-parent households | 31.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.4% (43.2–77.6%) n=62 |
| Population 65+ | 9.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.2% (13.0–42.2%) n=64 |
| Median age | 35.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.5 yr (34.9–62.0) n=64 |
| Median household income | $52,810 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $82,604 ($60,703–$125,491) n=61 |
| Median home value | $199,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $322,500 ($243,800–$534,600) n=61 |
| Median gross rent | $1,192 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,370 ($1,106–$1,655) n=55 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | DE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 72.6 yr ± 0.82 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 77.6 yr (75.5–81.2) n=61 |
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 0.82 years of 72.6, 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