ZIP code
23702
in Portsmouth, VirginiaPopulation 12,485
40.14/ 100
Ranked #26,666 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 17%)
Ranked #775 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (bottom 11.3%)
Ranked #119 of 123 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC ZIPs (bottom 3.3%)
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.
Outer-floodplain exposure
26.5%
in the top 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
45.4%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Walkability
190 intersections/sq mi
in the top 3.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
40%
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.2 mi
in the bottom 4.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST3rdUS4thDefinition & 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-cost burden
46.8%
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
15.9%
in the top 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
380 units
in the top 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
22.1%
in the top 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
14.7%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, ZIP 23702, one of several in Portsmouth, Virginia sits in the bottom 17% nationally (26,666th) and the bottom 11.3% of Virginia (775th).
Where this area is stretched, the data is unambiguous: outer-floodplain exposure resides in the top 1.5% nationally, modeled short sleep lies in the top 2.6% nationally, and modeled loneliness settles in the top 4.2% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site stands in the bottom 4.3% nationally, housing-cost burden is in the top 4.4% nationally, and modeled utility shutoff rests in the top 5.7% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity sits in the top 6.4% nationally, and transportation registers in the top 6.8% nationally. Better still, walkability lands in the top 3.1% nationally, and subsidized affordable housing resides in the top 6.3% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. ZIP 23323, 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
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 58%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 39%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 7%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 27%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 57%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 4%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 24%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 12%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 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 71.4 ± 1.7 years. A median household income of $48,835 predicts 77.2 years — 5.8 years below.
Ranked #5,719 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 71.4 ± 1.7 years. The 42 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.3 years — 4.8 years below them.
Ranked #3,345 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
23323
Virginiashares a border
Score 55.26
Closest healthier
23701
Virginiashares a border
Score 48.82
Similar health profile
62018
Illinois97% similar profile
Score 40.04
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 | 26.2% | 23.3–29.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.2% | 35.2–43.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.9% | 11.3–14.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–7.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.2 |
| Depression among adults | 24.4% | 20.8–28.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.4% | 13.6–17.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.9% | 31.9–40.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.3% | 35.2–49.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.2% | 3.9–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 20.6% | 17.0–24.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.4% | 10.6–14.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.8% | 71.9–77.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.9% | 74.1–81.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.0% | 80.7–85.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.2% | 59.0–68.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 53.4% | 49.5–56.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.9% | 67.3–81.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.0% | 11.4–17.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.4% | 17.0–22.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.2% | 27.8–37.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 45.4% | 39.4–51.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.1% | 23.2–29.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 21.7% | 19.3–24.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.7% | 13.9–17.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 20.3% | 18.2–22.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 38.4% | 34.1–43.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.8–13.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.5% | 15.5–19.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.9–8.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.0% | 23.2–30.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 27.7% | 24.2–31.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 27.1% | 23.8–30.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.1% | 19.3–24.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 14.7% | 12.9–16.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 40.0% | 34.7–45.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 15.9% | 13.9–17.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 23.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 11.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 46.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 46.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 30.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 9.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 30.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $48,835 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $208,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $1,242 | $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 | 71.4 yr ± 0.88 | 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 0.88 years of 71.4, 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