ZIP code
23237
in Richmond, VirginiaPopulation 27,126
46.07/ 100
Ranked #21,269 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 34%)
Ranked #615 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (bottom 30%)
Ranked #73 of 93 Richmond, VA ZIPs (bottom 22%)
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 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
40.6 per million
in the top 2.0% 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
76.1%
in the top 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Lead in tap water
0 ppb
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
US1stDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Mental-health provider access
0.16 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.9%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
279 units
in the top 8.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
7.5%
in the top 13.3% 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 23237, one of several in Richmond, Virginia, overall, ranks in the bottom 34% nationally (21,269th) and the bottom 30% of Virginia (615th).
Several serious readings shape the profile and deserve first mention: modeled industrial-pollution burden is in the top 1.3% nationally, distance to a Superfund site sits at the national minimum, and modeled air-toxics cancer risk lands in the top 2.0% nationally. Modeled pfas lies in the top 2.8% nationally, PFAS in drinking water stands at the national maximum, and modeled loud transportation noise rests in the top 8.2% nationally. On the better side, lead in tap water registers at the national minimum, and mental-health providers resides in the top 6.0% nationally. Subsidized affordable housing settles in the top 8.8% nationally. Distance to a community health center is at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs.
Measured against the nearby ZIPs, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. ZIP 23231, just across the boundary, comes out 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 76%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 48%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 36%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 34%
8%
Disability
healthier than 35%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Disability
healthier than 43%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.7%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 20%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 44%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 7%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 26%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 29%
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 76.2 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $79,606 predicts 79.2 years — 3.0 years below.
Ranked #4,167 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 76.2 ± 1.4 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.1 years — 2.0 years below them.
Ranked #1,562 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 40.6 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 76.2 ± 1.4 years.
Ranked #409 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
23231
Virginiashares a border
Score 50.95
Closest healthier
23831
Virginiashares a border
Score 56.18
Similar health profile
64117
Missouri89% similar profile
Score 43.50
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 | 28.3% | 25.7–31.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.7% | 35.4–42.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.8% | 6.2–7.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.2–12.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.5 |
| Depression among adults | 22.7% | 19.9–25.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.8% | 13.2–16.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.5% | 36.0–42.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.6% | 35.5–45.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.6–4.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.5% | 12.9–18.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.7% | 12.0–15.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.2% | 73.5–78.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.7% | 74.4–80.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.5% | 83.7–87.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.0% | 62.1–69.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.9% | 57.8–63.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.3% | 70.4–81.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.2% | 11.0–15.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.1% | 14.1–18.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.7% | 26.1–33.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.5% | 33.5–41.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 23.4% | 21.0–26.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.9% | 17.0–21.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.6% | 14.0–17.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.6% | 15.9–19.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.6% | 31.2–38.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.9% | 9.0–11.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.5% | 14.7–18.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.4–5.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.6% | 22.1–29.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.5% | 17.9–23.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 18.0% | 15.7–20.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.7% | 14.5–18.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.5–12.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.8% | 31.2–40.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.4–12.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 15.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 23.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 70.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 15.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 44.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 15.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 36.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $79,606 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $277,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $1,295 | $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 | 76.1 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 76.1, 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