ZIP code
23438
in Suffolk, VirginiaPopulation 1,749
54.69/ 100
Ranked #9,846 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 31%)
Ranked #279 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (top 32%)
Ranked #51 of 123 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC ZIPs (top 41%)
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.
PFAS in drinking water
9.0%
in the bottom 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
96.4%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Physician access
1.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 10.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices 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 ›Radon
1 pCi/L
in the bottom 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS19thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
102.8 days/year
in the top 21% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS79thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, ZIP 23438, one of several in Suffolk, Virginia ranks in the top 31% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,846th) and the top 32% of Virginia (279th).
A number of signals point in a favorable direction for this area: modeled pfas is in the bottom 6.9% nationally, and homeownership stands in the top 7.0% nationally. Physicians settles in the top 10.1% nationally, and modeled colon screening lies in the top 10.2% nationally. Crowded housing resides at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs. Modeled mammography lands in the top 14.9% nationally, and radon registers in the bottom 19% nationally. Working the other way, fatal road crashes sits in the top 14.7% nationally, and distance to a nursing home rests in the top 16% nationally. Recreation is at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, 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. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 27976, about 3.3 miles away.
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC 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 64%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 96%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 62%
11%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 95%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 73%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 60%
8%
Disability
healthier than 71%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 56%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 55%
11%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 22%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 78%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 62%
8%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 44%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 51%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 26%
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
One of our published findings lists 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.
Clean environment, heavy chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 95.9 (top 10%); chronic-disease standing 44.6 — 51 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #2,386 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
23434
Virginiashares a border
Score 49.59
Closest healthier
27976
North Carolinaabout 3.3 mi away
Score 56.53
Similar health profile
45853
Ohio95% similar profile
Score 56.75
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 | 32.5% | 29.1–36.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.5% | 34.6–42.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.8% | 7.9–9.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.1% | 9.8–12.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.1–8.2 |
| Depression among adults | 22.8% | 19.5–26.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.9% | 11.2–14.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.3% | 38.0–46.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.3% | 32.4–46.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.0% | 8.8–13.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.5% | 6.0–9.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.5% | 75.5–81.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.9% | 76.2–83.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.3% | 86.6–90.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.1% | 67.8–76.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.5% | 64.0–70.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.4% | 73.0–84.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.5% | 11.8–17.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.7% | 11.4–16.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.5% | 20.6–29.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.9% | 32.5–43.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.1% | 15.6–21.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.6% | 14.6–18.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.9% | 12.2–15.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.3% | 12.5–16.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.4% | 27.3–35.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.2–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.8% | 6.8–8.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.4% | 12.5–16.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–4.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–4.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.2% | 17.9–24.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.2% | 9.2–13.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.0% | 7.4–10.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 8.1–11.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.7–7.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.5% | 27.7–37.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.3–7.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 20.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 96.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 5.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 48.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 24.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 40.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $93,750 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $292,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $950 | $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 | 77.4 yr ± 1.63 | 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 1.63 years of 77.4, 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