ZIP code
23601
in Newport News, VirginiaPopulation 26,645
54.83/ 100
Ranked #9,656 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 30%)
Ranked #272 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (top 31%)
Ranked #49 of 123 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC ZIPs (top 40%)
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
911 units
in the top 1.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
0 ppb
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
US1stDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›PFOS in drinking water
94.2%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Radon
0.9 pCi/L
in the bottom 13.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS13thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS75thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, ZIP 23601, one of several in Newport News, Virginia ranks in the top 30% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,656th) and the top 31% of Virginia (272nd).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: subsidized affordable housing is in the top 1.7% nationally, and lead in tap water settles at the national minimum. Distance to an emergency room resides at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Physicians registers in the top 10.9% nationally, and grocery rests in the top 11.1% nationally. Distance to a nursing home stands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Modeled radon lies in the bottom 13.1% nationally, and mammography lands in the top 13.6% nationally. On the other side, PFOS in drinking water sits in the top 7.0% nationally, and homeownership is in the bottom 13.7% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. 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. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Close by, ZIP 23314, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
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 78%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 74%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 51%
8%
Disability
healthier than 59%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 70%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Disability
healthier than 66%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 98%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 58%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 52%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 93%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 97%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 43%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 57%
8%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 38%
11%
“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 76.9 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $71,279 predicts 78.7 years — 1.8 years below.
Ranked #2,348 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
23314
Virginiashares a border
Score 57.06
Closest healthier
23430
Virginiashares a border
Score 55.63
Similar health profile
35613
Alabama94% similar profile
Score 53.67
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 | 28.7% | 25.5–31.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.7% | 33.7–41.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.7% | 7.0–8.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.4% | 10.1–12.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–7.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.5 |
| Depression among adults | 22.5% | 19.3–26.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.9% | 11.3–14.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.1% | 34.0–42.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.8% | 32.1–45.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.4% | 10.1–15.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.4% | 7.3–9.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.9% | 74.1–79.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.0% | 76.6–83.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.5% | 85.7–89.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.9% | 64.4–73.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.1% | 61.7–68.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.6% | 73.1–85.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.9% | 11.3–16.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.2% | 11.5–15.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.8% | 21.9–30.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.0% | 33.7–44.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.2% | 16.9–21.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.1% | 15.2–19.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.5% | 12.0–15.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.7% | 13.2–16.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.4% | 27.5–35.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.8% | 13.1–16.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.6–5.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.6% | 19.4–26.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.5% | 12.5–16.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.3% | 10.6–14.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 10.8–14.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.2% | 30.4–40.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.3–9.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 29.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 9.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 57.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 5.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 48.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 15.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 37.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $71,279 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $243,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $1,340 | $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 | 76.9 yr ± 0.64 | 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 0.64 years of 76.9, 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