ZIP code
19954
in Houston, DelawarePopulation 1,427
43.30/ 100
Ranked #24,104 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 25%)
Ranked #59 of 64 Delaware ZIPs (bottom 7.9%)
Ranked #13 of 16 Dover, DE ZIPs (bottom 19%)
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
2.3%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST47thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
60.1%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Obesity
44.2%
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
26.3%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
44%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST75thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Distance to an emergency room
14.8 mi
in the top 11.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
16.7%
in the top 13.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
20.3%
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS84thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS19thDefinition & 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 ›Mammography
71.1%
in the bottom 20% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST4thUS20thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Houston, Delaware (ZIP 19954) lands in the bottom 25% nationally (24,104th) and the bottom 7.9% of Delaware (59th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: modeled binge drinking rests in the bottom 10.6% nationally. On the other side, modeled nitrate stands in the top 5.5% nationally, and pfas lies in the top 7.9% nationally. Modeled obesity lands in the top 5.8% nationally, and poverty sits in the top 9.5% nationally. Fiber broadband is at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled high cholesterol settles in the top 6.8% nationally, distance to an emergency room resides in the top 11.5% nationally, and modeled diabetes registers in the top 13.3% nationally. Modeled mobility disability rests in the top 16% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, 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. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 19950, just across the boundary, ranks better 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 Dover, DE metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 58%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 51%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 10%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 27%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 37%
8%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 66%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 3%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Disability
healthier than 7%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 71%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 43%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 57%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 7%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Disability
healthier than 7%
7%
“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
19950
Delawareshares a border
Score 46.53
Closest healthier
19952
Delawareshares a border
Score 47.85
Similar health profile
16622
Pennsylvania97% similar profile
Score 42.52
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 | 34.4% | 31.1–37.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 43.9% | 40.0–47.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.4% | 9.4–11.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.5% | 11.0–14.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.0% | 7.9–10.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.6% | 9.0–12.2 |
| Depression among adults | 23.7% | 20.3–27.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.7% | 14.7–18.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 44.0% | 40.1–47.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 44.2% | 37.5–51.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.7% | 4.2–5.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 18.3% | 15.2–21.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.2% | 8.3–12.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.4% | 77.8–82.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.4% | 79.4–85.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.2% | 84.3–88.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.6% | 61.9–71.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.6% | 55.7–63.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 71.1% | 63.9–77.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.6% | 10.5–14.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.2% | 13.4–19.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 34.7% | 29.7–39.5 |
| 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 | 24.6% | 21.3–28.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.9% | 15.9–20.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.1% | 15.1–19.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.0% | 13.9–18.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.6% | 35.0–44.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.0% | 7.9–10.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.2% | 8.9–11.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.3% | 17.6–23.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.3–5.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.6–7.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.1% | 19.1–25.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.9% | 13.5–18.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.9% | 12.2–17.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.6% | 10.8–14.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.4–10.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.9% | 30.0–38.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 6.9–9.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | DE median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 26.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 8.2% (2.4–16.7%) n=62 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.8% (3.2–18.9%) n=63 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.1% (3.2–15.9%) n=63 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 11.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.1% (13.0–59.9%) n=63 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (1.9–8.9%) n=63 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–9.1%) n=62 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 92.8% (85.5–97.0%) n=62 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (17.0–38.0%) n=62 |
| Homeownership rate | 81.9% | 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 | 2.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 7.1% (1.1–16.0%) n=64 |
| Single-parent households | 59.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.4% (43.2–77.6%) n=62 |
| Population 65+ | 28.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.2% (13.0–42.2%) n=64 |
| Median age | 41.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.5 yr (34.9–62.0) n=64 |
| Median household income | $60,345 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $82,604 ($60,703–$125,491) n=61 |
| Median home value | $316,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $322,500 ($243,800–$534,600) n=61 |
| Median gross rent | $1,250 | $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 | 76.9 yr ± 1.16 | 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 1.16 years of 76.9, 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