ZIP code
23505
in Norfolk, VirginiaPopulation 28,247
51.33/ 100
Ranked #14,373 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 45%)
Ranked #409 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (top 47%)
Ranked #86 of 123 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC ZIPs (bottom 30%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
975 units
in the top 1.5% 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 ›Slow internet speeds
8.2%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
10.0%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
37.2%
in the bottom 4.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
45.7%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.5 mi
in the bottom 5.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Loneliness
38.7%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Walkability
120 intersections/sq mi
in the top 7.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
12.9%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
87.2%
in the top 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST75thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, ZIP 23505, one of several in Norfolk, Virginia ranks in the top 45% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,373rd) and the top 47% of Virginia (409th).
Neither strongly one way nor the other, the measures sit mixed: subsidized affordable housing resides in the top 1.5% nationally, and walkability lands in the top 7.4% nationally. Against that, slow internet speeds registers in the top 1.6% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure sits in the top 3.8% nationally. Homeownership rests in the bottom 4.6% nationally, housing-cost burden is in the top 5.1% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site stands in the bottom 5.5% nationally. Modeled loneliness settles in the top 6.8% nationally, households without a vehicle lies in the top 9.5% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water resides in the top 10.0% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. 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. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 23503, 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 69%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 70%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 45%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 32%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 29%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Disability
healthier than 54%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 38%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 13%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 42%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 15%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Disability
healthier than 32%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
23503
Virginiashares a border
Score 53.30
Closest healthier
23508
Virginiashares a border
Score 52.76
Similar health profile
36870
Alabama91% similar profile
Score 49.83
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 | 23.6% | 21.0–26.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.7% | 32.1–39.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 9.9–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.3 |
| Depression among adults | 22.6% | 19.3–25.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.5% | 11.0–14.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.8% | 31.1–38.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.8% | 33.8–45.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.2–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.2% | 10.9–15.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.1% | 9.5–12.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.2% | 71.5–76.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.4% | 74.9–81.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.9% | 80.8–84.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.8% | 64.4–72.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.3% | 59.0–65.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.9% | 73.9–84.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.9% | 14.0–20.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.1% | 12.1–16.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.6% | 22.8–30.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.5% | 34.9–44.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.7% | 18.3–23.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.3% | 17.1–21.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.6% | 12.0–15.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.6% | 15.7–19.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.1% | 30.1–38.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.1–6.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.9% | 8.9–10.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.7% | 13.0–16.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.9–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.5–6.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.0% | 20.8–27.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.9% | 17.5–22.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 18.2% | 16.0–20.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.0% | 13.9–18.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.6% | 10.2–13.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 38.7% | 34.0–43.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.2% | 9.8–12.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 33.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 12.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 45.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 37.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 10.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 35.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 12.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 32.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $58,579 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $326,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $1,334 | $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 | 76.8 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 76.8, 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