ZIP code
23234
in Richmond, VirginiaPopulation 47,465
44.45/ 100
Ranked #22,969 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 28%)
Ranked #676 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (bottom 23%)
Ranked #84 of 93 Richmond, VA ZIPs (bottom 9.7%)
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.
Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 1.1% 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
876 units
in the top 1.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
40.3 per million
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
1 mi
in the bottom 7.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
21.2%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
38.4%
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
16.6%
in the top 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
13.6%
in the top 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
13.1%
in the top 10.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
25.8%
in the top 10.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, ZIP 23234, one of several in Richmond, Virginia sits in the bottom 28% nationally (22,969th) and the bottom 23% of Virginia (676th).
Where this area is stretched, the data is unambiguous: modeled industrial-pollution burden is in the top 1.1% nationally, modeled air-toxics cancer risk rests in the top 2.2% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site sits in the bottom 7.1% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity registers in the top 7.4% nationally, loneliness lands in the top 7.5% nationally, and uninsured resides in the top 8.1% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff lies in the top 9.6% nationally, and transportation settles in the top 10.1% nationally. Modeled food insecurity stands in the top 10.2% nationally. Better still, subsidized affordable housing is in the top 1.9% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain 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. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. ZIP 23231, just across the boundary, ranks healthier 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 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 72%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 44%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 20%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Disability
healthier than 28%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 36%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 17%
16%
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 11%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Disability
healthier than 33%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 43%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 38%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
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 76.7 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $66,619 predicts 78.5 years — 1.8 years below.
Ranked #2,302 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 40.3 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 76.7 ± 1.1 years.
Ranked #441 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
23224
Virginiashares a border
Score 39.00
Closest healthier
23231
Virginiashares a border
Score 50.95
Similar health profile
66111
Kansas91% similar profile
Score 43.01
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 | 26.5% | 24.5–28.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.3% | 37.7–43.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.4% | 5.0–5.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.6% | 10.6–12.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.8–6.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.0% | 6.4–7.7 |
| Depression among adults | 20.4% | 18.3–22.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.3% | 14.9–17.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.6% | 35.0–40.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.6% | 38.4–47.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.9–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 17.8% | 15.5–20.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 16.6% | 14.9–18.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.1% | 74.1–78.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.3% | 75.8–80.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.9% | 83.4–86.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.5% | 62.4–68.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.1% | 54.4–59.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.0% | 73.6–82.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.5% | 10.9–14.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.1% | 14.5–17.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.4% | 29.4–35.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.5% | 37.1–44.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.6% | 23.6–27.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.8% | 17.3–20.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.4% | 14.2–16.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.3% | 16.8–19.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.4% | 33.6–39.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.4–6.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.7–11.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.6% | 16.2–19.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.3% | 5.0–5.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.5% | 7.0–8.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.6% | 25.5–31.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.8% | 23.3–28.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 22.6% | 20.3–25.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 21.2% | 19.1–23.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 11.8–14.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 38.4% | 34.7–42.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 12.1–15.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 23.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 18.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 20.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 37.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 59.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 20.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 38.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 13.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 35.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $66,619 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $266,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $1,401 | $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 | 76.7 yr ± 0.57 | 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 0.57 years of 76.7, 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