ZIP code
23703
in Portsmouth, VirginiaPopulation 25,610
51.02/ 100
Ranked #14,817 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 46%)
Ranked #421 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (top 48%)
Ranked #87 of 123 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC ZIPs (bottom 29%)
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
299 units
in the top 8.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS92ndDefinition & 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
1.4%
in the top 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.5 mi
in the bottom 9.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
2.8%
in the top 11.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS88thDefinition & 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
41.3%
in the top 11.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
36.9%
in the top 12.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.9 pCi/L
in the bottom 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS16thDefinition & 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 26% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS74thDefinition & 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 ›Tree cover
2.2%
in the bottom 28% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS28thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 23703, one of several in Portsmouth, Virginia, in overall standing, comes out in the top 46% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,817th) and the top 48% of Virginia (421st).
A few measures carry most of this area's good news: subsidized affordable housing is in the top 8.2% nationally, lead in tap water lies in the bottom 14.1% nationally, and fatal road crashes registers in the bottom 14.5% nationally. Set against that, slow internet speeds is in the top 8.4% nationally, distance to a Superfund site lies in the bottom 9.0% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure registers in the top 11.6% nationally. Modeled short sleep is in the top 11.6% nationally, and loneliness lies in the top 12.8% nationally. Floodplain exposure registers in the top 13.8% nationally, and housing-cost burden is in the top 14.2% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, outer-floodplain exposure runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 23321, 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
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 66%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 69%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 52%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Disability
healthier than 46%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 68%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 75%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 47%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 49%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 44%
8%
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 34%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 30%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 56%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 25%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 34%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 35%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Disability
healthier than 38%
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
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 77.1 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $78,707 predicts 79.1 years — 2.1 years below.
Ranked #2,782 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
23321
Virginiashares a border
Score 59.47
Closest healthier
23435
Virginiashares a border
Score 58.55
Similar health profile
70775
Louisiana95% similar profile
Score 52.02
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 | 27.4% | 24.4–30.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.7% | 34.8–42.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.0% | 6.4–7.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.0% | 10.6–13.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–6.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.7 |
| Depression among adults | 22.4% | 19.1–25.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.3% | 12.6–16.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.8% | 33.7–41.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.1% | 31.4–45.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.8% | 9.6–14.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.3% | 7.9–10.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.8% | 75.0–80.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.1% | 76.6–83.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.0% | 85.2–88.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.0% | 65.3–74.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.3% | 59.8–66.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.7% | 70.8–83.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.9% | 11.4–16.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.4% | 12.3–16.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.5% | 22.5–30.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.3% | 35.5–46.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.9% | 18.4–23.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.2% | 16.1–20.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.6% | 12.0–15.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.0% | 14.2–17.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.5% | 29.3–37.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.3–6.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.4–10.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.4% | 13.5–17.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.1–4.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.8% | 20.4–27.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.0% | 16.7–21.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 17.7% | 15.5–20.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.0% | 14.0–18.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.4–11.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.9% | 31.8–42.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.4% | 9.9–12.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 8.9% | 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+) | 32.4% | 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 | 6.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 37.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 69.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 46.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 14.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 35.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $78,707 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $295,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $1,432 | $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 | 77.0 yr ± 0.77 | 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 0.77 years of 77.0, 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