ZIP code
23503
in Norfolk, VirginiaPopulation 30,216
53.30/ 100
Ranked #11,624 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 36%)
Ranked #322 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (top 37%)
Ranked #62 of 123 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC ZIPs (bottom 50%)
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.
Slow internet speeds
4.4%
in the top 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
98.8%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
434 units
in the top 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.5 mi
in the bottom 5.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Walkability
120 intersections/sq mi
in the top 7.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
42.5%
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
47.4%
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
37.2%
in the top 11.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
0.04%
in the bottom 13.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST3rdUS13thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS10thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Judged by its overall standing, ZIP 23503, one of several in Norfolk, Virginia sits in the top 36% healthiest ZIPs nationally (11,624th) and the top 37% of Virginia (322nd), based on limited data; treat as directional.
A healthy showing across the board, and a few measures carry it: subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 5.3% nationally, walkability rests in the top 7.3% nationally, and modeled coronary heart disease settles in the bottom 10.9% nationally. On the other hand, slow internet speeds lands in the top 2.8% nationally, PFOS in drinking water rests in the top 4.7% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site settles in the bottom 5.7% nationally. Housing-cost burden lands in the top 7.5% nationally, and homeownership rests in the bottom 7.8% nationally. PFAS in drinking water settles in the top 11.5% nationally, and modeled loneliness lands in the top 11.6% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put plainly, PFOS in drinking water is a common one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 23518, 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 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 76%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 65%
14%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 45%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 32%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 82%
21%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 39%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 64%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 55%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 15%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
“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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 75.9 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $67,649 predicts 78.5 years — 2.6 years below.
Ranked #3,582 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
23505
Virginiashares a border
Score 51.33
Closest healthier
23518
Virginiashares a border
Score 54.89
Similar health profile
52595
Iowa95% similar profile
Score 54.59
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 | 23.3% | 20.6–25.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.7% | 30.1–37.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–6.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.5–6.8 |
| Depression among adults | 23.3% | 19.9–26.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.1% | 9.6–12.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.1% | 31.4–38.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.8% | 33.0–44.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.7% | 9.6–13.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.3% | 8.9–11.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.3% | 70.1–76.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.8% | 74.1–81.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.1% | 82.1–85.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.5% | 63.2–71.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.2% | 59.9–66.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.3% | 73.3–84.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.1% | 15.0–21.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.7% | 11.8–15.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.0% | 20.5–27.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.1% | 34.4–43.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.7% | 16.4–21.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.7% | 16.6–20.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.1% | 11.6–14.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.5% | 14.7–18.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.6% | 27.8–35.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.8–9.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.6–5.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.7% | 19.7–26.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.2% | 14.2–18.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.0% | 12.2–16.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.7% | 12.0–15.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.2% | 32.6–42.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 8.1–10.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 31.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 42.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 47.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 8.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 45.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 14.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 35.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $67,649 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $293,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $1,224 | $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 | 75.9 yr ± 0.70 | 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 0.70 years of 75.9, 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