ZIP code
24301
in Pulaski, VirginiaPopulation 13,567
46.06/ 100
Ranked #21,278 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 34%)
Ranked #616 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (bottom 29%)
Ranked #28 of 28 Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA ZIPs (bottom 3.6%)
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.
Park land
28%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
0.0005 ppb
in the bottom 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
US10thDefinition & 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 ›Pharmacy access
0.36 per 1,000 residents
in the top 10.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
48 mi
in the top 13.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS87thDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
49.8%
in the top 13.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS86thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Radon
2.5 pCi/L
in the top 21% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS79thDefinition & 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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›The read
In its overall standing, Pulaski, Virginia (ZIP 24301) lands in the bottom 34% nationally (21,278th) and the bottom 29% of Virginia (616th).
Taken together, the data gives a genuinely mixed reading: park land lies in the top 5.1% nationally. Distance to an emergency room stands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled extreme heat rests at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Lead in tap water registers in the bottom 9.8% nationally, and pharmacy resides in the top 10.2% nationally. Subsidized affordable housing settles in the top 12.4% nationally, and transit is in the top 13.3% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site sits in the top 13.3% nationally. Distance to a nursing home lands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. On the other side, fiber broadband lies at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs.
Against the wider neighborhood, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put simply, 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. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. On the overall standing, ZIP 24084, just across the boundary, ranks healthier.
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 Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 70%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 49%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 55%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 24%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 84%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 42%
16%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 29%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 22%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 26%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Disability
in the bottom 0.00%
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 72.9 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $57,718 predicts 77.9 years — 5.0 years below.
Ranked #5,559 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 72.9 ± 1.5 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.4 years — 3.6 years below them.
Ranked #2,764 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
24084
Virginiashares a border
Score 50.59
Closest healthier
24141
Virginiashares a border
Score 49.44
Similar health profile
24609
Virginia98% similar profile
Score 44.01
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 | 33.5% | 30.0–37.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.8% | 35.6–44.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.8–10.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.2–13.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.7–9.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.9% | 8.9–11.1 |
| Depression among adults | 25.4% | 21.8–29.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.8% | 12.9–16.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.4% | 37.9–46.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.3% | 29.8–45.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.2% | 13.3–19.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.2% | 7.8–10.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.4% | 76.6–82.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.7% | 76.2–82.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.1% | 84.3–87.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.4% | 61.5–71.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.4% | 59.8–67.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.7% | 67.1–81.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.7% | 11.1–16.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.7% | 15.2–20.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.1% | 25.6–34.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.3% | 31.0–43.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.7% | 19.9–25.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.9% | 16.8–21.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.6% | 14.7–18.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.6% | 15.7–19.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 37.8% | 33.4–42.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.9–9.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.7% | 16.5–21.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.4–5.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.5–6.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.1% | 17.9–24.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.7% | 13.4–18.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.8% | 12.7–17.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.7% | 9.9–13.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.6–9.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.6% | 28.5–38.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 7.1–9.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 17.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 81.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 50.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 19.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 40.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $57,718 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $173,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $742 | $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 | 72.9 yr ± 0.79 | 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 0.79 years of 72.9, 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