ZIP code
23504
in Norfolk, VirginiaPopulation 23,502
37.28/ 100
Ranked #28,400 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 11.5%)
Ranked #818 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (bottom 6.4%)
Ranked #121 of 123 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC ZIPs (bottom 1.7%)
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.
Short sleep
47.4%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
1,149 units
in the top 1.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
43.1%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
14.6%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Walkability
240 intersections/sq mi
in the top 1.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
7.6%
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
10.2%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
20.6%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
16.4%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Obesity
47.8%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 23504, one of several in Norfolk, Virginia, by its overall standing, sits in the bottom 11.5% nationally (28,400th) and the bottom 6.4% of Virginia (818th).
The data is direct about where this area carries real strain: modeled short sleep resides in the top 1.1% nationally, loneliness rests in the top 1.2% nationally, and independent living disability lies in the top 3.2% nationally. Modeled self-care disability sits in the top 3.9% nationally, vision disability settles in the top 4.5% nationally, and utility shutoff registers in the top 2.2% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure stands in the top 2.4% nationally, and modeled obesity lands in the top 1.6% nationally. More encouragingly, subsidized affordable housing is in the top 1.1% nationally, and walkability resides in the top 1.6% nationally.
Held up against its neighbors, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined in plain terms, subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 23325, 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
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 42%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 20%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 4%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 7%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 20%
8%
Disability
healthier than 7%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 23%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 1%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 13%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 8%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 48%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 13%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.9%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
in the bottom 0.9%
7%
“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 70.1 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $44,659 predicts 76.9 years — 6.8 years below.
Ranked #5,797 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 70.1 ± 1.2 years. The 42 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.3 years — 6.2 years below them.
Ranked #3,561 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
23325
Virginiashares a border
Score 49.58
Closest healthier
23502
Virginiashares a border
Score 49.93
Similar health profile
70570
Louisiana99% similar profile
Score 31.51
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 | 26.4% | 23.7–29.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 43.9% | 40.2–47.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–4.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 13.5% | 11.9–15.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.0% | 8.1–10.1 |
| Depression among adults | 21.4% | 18.2–24.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 18.4% | 16.3–20.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.5% | 30.8–38.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 47.8% | 41.5–53.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.3% | 4.9–5.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 24.7% | 21.3–28.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.7% | 10.9–14.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.2% | 74.8–79.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.9% | 78.7–84.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.8% | 80.6–84.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.1% | 61.8–70.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 51.5% | 48.2–54.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.3% | 74.3–85.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.9% | 10.5–15.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.2% | 16.0–20.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 34.6% | 30.2–39.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 47.4% | 42.6–52.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 29.2% | 26.2–32.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 21.9% | 19.5–24.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.5–18.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 21.3% | 19.1–23.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 40.9% | 36.6–45.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.6–5.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 14.6% | 13.2–16.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 21.5% | 19.3–23.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 7.6% | 7.0–8.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 10.2% | 9.3–11.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.4% | 25.6–33.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 34.5% | 31.1–38.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 35.9% | 32.6–39.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 26.3% | 23.5–29.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 19.3% | 17.3–21.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 43.1% | 38.2–47.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 20.6% | 18.4–23.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 36.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 15.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 27.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 12.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 23.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 80.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 46.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 38.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 25.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 10.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 28.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $44,659 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $269,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $957 | $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 | 70.1 yr ± 0.62 | 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 0.62 years of 70.1, 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