ZIP code
23227
in Richmond, VirginiaPopulation 24,925
55.58/ 100
Ranked #8,774 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 27%)
Ranked #250 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (top 29%)
Ranked #39 of 93 Richmond, VA ZIPs (top 42%)
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
1,466 units
in the top 0.7% 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 0.9% 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
41 per million
in the top 1.9% 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 ›Loud transportation noise
2.4%
in the top 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
16%
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
39.9%
in the top 10.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
12.4%
in the bottom 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST20thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
72.9%
in the top 7.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Mammography
80.3%
in the top 9.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
7.6%
in the top 13.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 23227, one of several in Richmond, Virginia, on the composite measure, lands in the top 27% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,774th) and the top 29% of Virginia (250th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 0.7% nationally, modeled binge drinking resides in the bottom 9.2% nationally, and modeled colon screening lies in the top 7.6% nationally. Modeled mammography settles in the top 9.6% nationally. Working the other way, modeled industrial-pollution burden stands in the top 0.9% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk is in the top 1.9% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise rests in the top 5.7% nationally, and households without a vehicle sits in the top 6.5% nationally. Housing-cost burden registers in the top 10.2% nationally, and homeownership lands in the bottom 12.0% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, 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. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 23059, 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 84%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 93%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 83%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 81%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 44%
21%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 81%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 63%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 1%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 17%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 69%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 76%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 93%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Disability
healthier than 43%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 21%
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
2 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 76.9 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $69,187 predicts 78.6 years — 1.7 years below.
Ranked #2,100 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 41.0 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 76.9 ± 1.1 years.
Ranked #389 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
23059
Virginiashares a border
Score 69.90
Closest healthier
23060
Virginiashares a border
Score 63.61
Similar health profile
63127
Missouri96% similar profile
Score 62.64
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 | 30.2% | 28.1–32.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.4% | 39.8–45.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.7% | 8.1–9.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 10.2–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.0% | 6.5–7.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.6% | 6.0–7.4 |
| Depression among adults | 19.9% | 17.9–22.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.7% | 13.4–16.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.2% | 35.5–41.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.7% | 31.7–40.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.3% | 3.9–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.1% | 11.3–15.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.1% | 7.0–9.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.7% | 78.9–82.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.6% | 80.6–84.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.6% | 88.5–90.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.9% | 70.1–75.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.7% | 66.5–71.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.3% | 76.3–83.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.4% | 10.9–14.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.7% | 10.4–13.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.0% | 21.4–26.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.1% | 32.9–39.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.4% | 17.5–21.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.3% | 14.0–16.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.0% | 11.9–14.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 12.5–15.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.4% | 30.8–36.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.8–9.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.3% | 14.8–18.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.8–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.6% | 20.0–25.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.9% | 13.2–16.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 11.7–15.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.6% | 31.0–38.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.8–9.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 47.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 16.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 39.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 54.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 45.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 23.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 45.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $69,187 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $364,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $1,362 | $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 | 76.9 yr ± 0.56 | 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 0.56 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