ZIP code
23803
in Petersburg, VirginiaPopulation 42,012
42.70/ 100
Ranked #24,643 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 23%)
Ranked #724 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (bottom 17%)
Ranked #90 of 93 Richmond, VA 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.
Subsidized affordable housing
768 units
in the top 2.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Transit access
6.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
44%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
39.3%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Mental-health provider access
0.16 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
14.7%
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & 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
14.1%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
11.0%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
14.1%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, ZIP 23803, one of several in Petersburg, Virginia sits in the bottom 23% nationally (24,643rd) and the bottom 17% of Virginia (724th).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: subsidized affordable housing settles in the top 2.4% nationally, transit stands in the top 2.9% nationally, and mental-health providers is in the top 6.2% nationally. On the other hand, modeled industrial-pollution burden rests in the top 2.6% nationally, short sleep sits in the top 4.5% nationally, and loneliness registers in the top 5.5% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff lands in the top 7.5% nationally, and transportation resides in the top 7.8% nationally. Unemployment lies in the top 7.8% nationally, and households without a vehicle settles in the top 8.2% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. ZIP 23801, 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 Richmond, VA 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 89%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Disability
healthier than 22%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 95%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 21%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 8%
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 73.0 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $57,813 predicts 77.9 years — 4.9 years below.
Ranked #5,500 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 73.0 ± 1.1 years. The 44 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 77.2 years — 4.2 years below them.
Ranked #3,090 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
23801
Virginiashares a border
Score 56.51
Closest healthier
23805
Virginiashares a border
Score 50.16
Similar health profile
36867
Alabama98% similar profile
Score 42.29
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 | 27.5% | 25.5–29.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.5% | 38.9–43.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.8% | 5.4–6.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.7% | 11.6–13.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.2–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.3–8.6 |
| Depression among adults | 22.5% | 20.2–24.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.4% | 15.0–17.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.0% | 33.5–38.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.8% | 39.0–48.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.6% | 4.4–4.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 21.8% | 19.3–24.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.9% | 9.7–12.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.8% | 75.0–78.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.5% | 78.2–82.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.7% | 83.2–86.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.9% | 62.7–69.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.5% | 55.0–60.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.4% | 73.2–81.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.5% | 10.9–14.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.3% | 14.7–17.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.2% | 28.2–34.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 44.0% | 40.2–48.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.4% | 23.3–27.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.3% | 18.7–21.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.4% | 14.1–16.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.8% | 17.2–20.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 37.6% | 34.6–40.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.8–12.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.4% | 16.9–19.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.4–6.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.8% | 7.2–8.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.2% | 24.6–30.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.7% | 23.5–28.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 25.1% | 22.8–27.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.2% | 18.3–22.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 14.1% | 12.8–15.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 39.3% | 35.8–42.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 14.7% | 13.2–16.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 21.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 24.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 11.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 14.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 36.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 51.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 39.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 15.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 36.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $57,813 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $230,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $1,178 | $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 | 73.0 yr ± 0.54 | 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 0.54 years of 73.0, 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