ZIP code
23523
in Norfolk, VirginiaPopulation 8,188
29.71/ 100
Ranked #30,828 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 3.9%)
Ranked #869 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (bottom 0.5%)
Ranked #123 of 123 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC ZIPs (bottom 0.9%)
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.
Self-care disability
9.3%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
49.7%
in the top 0.4% 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 ›Independent-living disability
16.5%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
53.2%
in the top 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
11.9%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
22.4%
in the top 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
24.9%
in the top 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
30.4%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Stroke
6.5%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
26.4%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both flood exposure and the share of households without a vehicle.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
Health need and barriers to care documented here
On our reading, this ZIP code carries the overlap at its acute level: acute means at least three of the six health-need readings and at least three of the six access barriers apply to the same place.
These are two separate readings of public data that both apply to this place — never a claim that one causes the other, never a severity score, and never a statement about any person who lives here.
Health need documented here
- People living in poverty
- Food insecurity
- Housing insecurity
- Adults reporting fair or poor health
- Chronic conditions
Barriers to reaching care
- Thin local supply of doctors
- Thin local supply of pharmacies
- Households with no vehicle
A reading appears below only where this ZIP code is among the most-affected 10% of US ZIP codes on it — one national bar, the same for every ZIP in the country.
See the full care-deserts analysis →The read
In overall standing, ZIP 23523, one of several in Norfolk, Virginia comes out in the bottom 3.9% nationally (30,828th) and the bottom 0.5% of Virginia (869th).
The clearest local signals in the data come through up front: modeled self-care disability resides in the top 1.2% nationally, short sleep rests in the top 0.4% nationally, and independent living disability lies in the top 1.3% nationally. Modeled obesity sits in the top 0.2% nationally, vision disability settles in the top 2.2% nationally, and diabetes registers in the top 1.5% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff stands in the top 0.9% nationally, and tooth loss lands in the top 2.9% nationally. Modeled stroke is in the top 2.3% nationally, and mobility disability resides in the top 2.0% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 23324, just across the boundary. This ZIP further shows documented health need overlapping with barriers to reaching care, sitting in the most-affected 10% of US ZIP codes on several need measures and several access barriers.
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 83%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 43%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 4%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 5%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 1%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.5%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
Disability
in the bottom 0.6%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
in the bottom 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Disability
in the bottom 0.00%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
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
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 72.6 ± 2.6 years. A median household income of $35,533 predicts 76.0 years — 3.4 years below.
Ranked #4,552 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 72.6 ± 2.6 years. The 42 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.2 years — 3.6 years below them.
Ranked #2,785 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
23324
Virginiashares a border
Score 45.30
Closest healthier
23325
Virginiashares a border
Score 49.58
Similar health profile
71001
Louisiana99% similar profile
Score 24.70
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 | 30.9% | 27.8–34.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 50.8% | 46.7–54.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 14.1% | 12.5–15.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.8% | 9.4–12.3 |
| Depression among adults | 21.3% | 18.3–24.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 22.4% | 19.9–24.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.7% | 33.8–41.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 53.2% | 46.7–59.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 30.4% | 25.9–34.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 14.6% | 11.9–17.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.9% | 77.3–82.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 83.1% | 79.9–85.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.8% | 81.4–86.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.6% | 58.9–68.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 47.2% | 43.7–50.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.9% | 76.3–86.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 11.2% | 9.1–13.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 22.2% | 19.1–25.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 40.7% | 35.7–45.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 49.7% | 44.8–54.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 34.6% | 30.8–38.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 22.5% | 19.9–25.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.9% | 16.8–21.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 22.8% | 20.1–25.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 45.5% | 40.8–50.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 16.5% | 14.6–18.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 26.4% | 23.6–29.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.2–10.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 11.9% | 10.6–13.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 31.1% | 27.2–35.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 41.4% | 36.4–46.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 45.2% | 39.9–50.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 31.3% | 27.4–35.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 21.7% | 19.1–24.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 42.7% | 38.0–48.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 24.9% | 21.9–28.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 39.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 18.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 12.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 29.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 84.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 52.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 33.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 26.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 10.5% | 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 | $35,533 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $224,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $937 | $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 | 72.6 yr ± 1.31 | 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 1.31 years of 72.6, 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