ZIP code
23696
in Seaford, VirginiaPopulation 3,937
60.95/ 100
Ranked #4,155 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 13.0%)
Ranked #130 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (top 14.9%)
Ranked #14 of 123 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC ZIPs (top 11.4%)
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.
Floodplain exposure
67.2%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
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 ›Median household income
$142,788
in the top 4.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS95thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
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 ›Food insecurity
7.3%
in the bottom 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.3 mi
in the bottom 4.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST4thUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
6.7%
in the bottom 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
6.7%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Utility shut-off threat
4.3%
in the bottom 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.8%
in the bottom 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
89.9%
in the top 8.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS91stDefinition & 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
Seaford, Virginia (ZIP 23696), in overall standing, comes out in the top 13.0% healthiest ZIPs nationally (4,155th) and the top 14.9% of Virginia (130th).
An even profile, with readings pulling both ways: household income registers in the top 4.8% nationally, lead in tap water is at the national minimum, and modeled food insecurity lies in the bottom 4.7% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity registers in the bottom 5.4% nationally, utility shutoff is in the bottom 5.7% nationally, and transportation lies in the bottom 5.9% nationally. Against that, floodplain exposure registers in the top 1.9% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site is in the bottom 4.8% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure lies in the top 5.6% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water registers in the top 8.9% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. 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. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 23692, 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%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 91%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 82%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 93%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 93%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 85%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 73%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 91%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 91%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 80%
8%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.5%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 76%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 91%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 93%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 85%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 55%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 8%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
23692
Virginiashares a border
Score 63.25
Closest healthier
23693
Virginiaabout 1.3 mi away
Score 65.55
Similar health profile
29212
South Carolina99% similar profile
Score 58.33
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 | 29.5% | 25.9–33.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.2% | 30.0–38.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.1% | 9.1–11.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.9% | 4.7–7.2 |
| Depression among adults | 22.7% | 19.3–26.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.9% | 9.2–12.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.4% | 36.0–44.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.2% | 24.6–38.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.6–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.1% | 6.5–10.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.5% | 4.2–7.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.3% | 76.0–82.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.0% | 77.5–84.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.0% | 88.1–91.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.5% | 68.0–76.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 75.6% | 72.7–78.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.4% | 70.1–83.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.0% | 12.2–18.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.6% | 7.9–13.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.6% | 14.5–22.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.7% | 25.2–36.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.5% | 11.7–17.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.7% | 12.6–16.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.0% | 10.0–14.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.9% | 9.9–14.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.0% | 22.4–31.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.8% | 5.9–7.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.2–7.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.0% | 9.7–14.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.7% | 2.2–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.4% | 2.9–4.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 17.7% | 14.7–21.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 5.5–9.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 3.9–7.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.3–8.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 3.9–5.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.6% | 26.8–36.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.3% | 3.4–5.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 47.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 91.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 64.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 18.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 43.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $142,788 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $427,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $2,241 | $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 | 79.8 yr ± 2.18 | 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 2.18 years of 79.8, 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