ZIP code
23224
in Richmond, VirginiaPopulation 40,575
39.00/ 100
Ranked #27,393 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 14.6%)
Ranked #792 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (bottom 9.3%)
Ranked #92 of 93 Richmond, VA ZIPs (bottom 1.1%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
2,329 units
in the top 0.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
43.6 per million
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Loneliness
41.8%
in the top 2.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
25.7%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
17.6%
in the top 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
36.4%
in the bottom 4.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST4thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
16.6%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
32.1%
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
9.2%
in the top 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 23224, one of several in Richmond, Virginia, by its overall standing, sits in the bottom 14.6% nationally (27,393rd) and the bottom 9.3% of Virginia (792nd).
The profile opens on the burdens that define it most: modeled industrial-pollution burden sits in the top 1.0% nationally, air-toxics cancer risk settles in the top 1.6% nationally, and loneliness registers in the top 2.1% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity stands in the top 3.6% nationally, modeled utility shutoff lands in the top 4.1% nationally, and homeownership is in the bottom 4.4% nationally. Modeled transportation resides in the top 4.5% nationally, and food insecurity rests in the top 4.8% nationally. Modeled vision disability lies in the top 6.9% nationally. More positively, subsidized affordable housing sits in the top 0.3% nationally.
Held up against its neighbors, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined in plain terms, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 23219, 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 Richmond, VA 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 91%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 38%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 3%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 28%
8%
Disability
healthier than 14%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 97%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 56%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.9%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Disability
healthier than 13%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 20%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 97%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 33%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
in the bottom 0.00%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
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 72.9 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $50,475 predicts 77.4 years — 4.5 years below.
Ranked #5,349 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 72.9 ± 1.4 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.3 years — 5.4 years below them.
Ranked #3,456 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 43.6 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 72.9 ± 1.4 years.
Ranked #315 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
23219
Virginiashares a border
Score 52.15
Closest healthier
23220
Virginiashares a border
Score 53.98
Similar health profile
65769
Missouri97% similar profile
Score 36.13
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 | 24.8% | 22.5–27.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.3% | 37.1–43.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.3% | 4.0–4.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.3% | 11.1–13.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.8–7.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.8% | 7.1–8.7 |
| Depression among adults | 21.7% | 19.0–24.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.8% | 15.1–18.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.5% | 31.3–38.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.6% | 38.1–49.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.5% | 4.2–4.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 25.1% | 21.7–29.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 17.3% | 15.4–19.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.9% | 71.5–76.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.7% | 74.6–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.5% | 80.5–84.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.3% | 60.2–68.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 52.9% | 49.7–56.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.0% | 70.0–81.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.0% | 11.8–16.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.1% | 17.0–21.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 34.4% | 30.6–38.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 42.0% | 37.5–46.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 28.1% | 25.7–31.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.4% | 18.4–22.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.4–17.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 20.8% | 18.9–22.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.8% | 36.2–43.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.5% | 11.4–13.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.2% | 17.5–21.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.5% | 6.0–7.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.5–10.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.7% | 26.0–33.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 32.1% | 28.8–35.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 31.2% | 28.0–34.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.7% | 22.8–28.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 16.6% | 14.7–18.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 41.8% | 37.1–46.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 17.6% | 15.5–19.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 26.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 21.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 18.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 12.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 84.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 42.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 36.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 15.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 27.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 11.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 33.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $50,475 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $207,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $1,314 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,144 ($742–$2,191) n=615 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 72.9 yr ± 0.69 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 77.6 yr (74.5–81.4) n=826 |
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 0.69 years of 72.9, 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