ZIP code
19943
in Felton, DelawarePopulation 13,410
49.88/ 100
Ranked #16,421 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 49%)
Ranked #41 of 64 Delaware ZIPs (bottom 36%)
Ranked #6 of 16 Dover, DE ZIPs (top 38%)
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.
Nitrate in drinking water
18.8%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams per liter.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.5%
in the bottom 13.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›The read
Felton, Delaware (ZIP 19943), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 49% nationally (16,421st) and the bottom 36% of Delaware (41st).
An even profile, with readings pulling both ways: modeled arsenic sits in the bottom 13.4% nationally, elder services stands in the top 18% nationally, and modeled binge drinking resides in the bottom 20% nationally. Homeownership sits in the top 21% nationally. Against that, modeled nitrate stands in the top 2.3% nationally. Fiber broadband resides at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled obesity sits in the top 11.7% nationally, and pfas stands in the top 18% nationally. Recreation resides at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs. Physicians sits at the national minimum, shared with about 38% of ZIPs.
Set within its surrounding area, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 19934, 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 Dover, DE metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 63%
13%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 40%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Disability
healthier than 55%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 44%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 54%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 36%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 64%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 64%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 93%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 71%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
“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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 75.7 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $73,925 predicts 78.9 years — 3.2 years below.
Ranked #4,338 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
19901
Delawareshares a border
Score 45.15
Closest healthier
19934
Delawareshares a border
Score 52.41
Similar health profile
46913
Indiana98% similar profile
Score 51.09
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 | 30.3% | 27.3–33.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.0% | 35.4–42.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.5–10.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.4% | 11.0–13.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.0–8.8 |
| Depression among adults | 23.5% | 20.2–27.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.7% | 12.1–15.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.7% | 36.9–44.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.3% | 36.0–48.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.3% | 11.0–15.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.7% | 7.4–10.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.2% | 75.4–80.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.9% | 78.8–84.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.2% | 85.3–88.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.3% | 62.9–71.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.9% | 59.2–66.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.9% | 67.4–79.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.6% | 11.4–16.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.8% | 12.0–15.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.1% | 26.1–34.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.7% | 33.5–44.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.2% | 17.9–22.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.4% | 15.5–19.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.7% | 13.1–16.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.3% | 12.7–16.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.1% | 30.5–38.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.2–7.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.1% | 14.3–18.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.6% | 18.9–24.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 11.7–15.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.9% | 10.1–14.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.7% | 10.3–13.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.7% | 30.0–37.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.3–8.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | DE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.2% (2.4–16.7%) n=62 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.8% (3.2–18.9%) n=63 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.1% (3.2–15.9%) n=63 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 28.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.1% (13.0–59.9%) n=63 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.9–8.9%) n=63 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–9.1%) n=62 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.8% (85.5–97.0%) n=62 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 25.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (17.0–38.0%) n=62 |
| Homeownership rate | 88.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 81.6% (59.5–92.0%) n=62 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–4.8%) n=62 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 7.1% (1.1–16.0%) n=64 |
| Single-parent households | 59.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.4% (43.2–77.6%) n=62 |
| Population 65+ | 19.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.2% (13.0–42.2%) n=64 |
| Median age | 45.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.5 yr (34.9–62.0) n=64 |
| Median household income | $73,925 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $82,604 ($60,703–$125,491) n=61 |
| Median home value | $312,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $322,500 ($243,800–$534,600) n=61 |
| Median gross rent | $1,184 | $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 | 75.7 yr ± 0.55 | 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 0.55 years of 75.7, 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