ZIP code
24319
in Chilhowie, VirginiaPopulation 6,997
44.77/ 100
Ranked #22,655 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 29%)
Ranked #666 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (bottom 24%)
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.
Fiber broadband
99.1%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.4%
in the bottom 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
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 ›PFAS in drinking water
53.5%
in the top 11.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS89thDefinition & 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 ›Pharmacy access
0.31 per 1,000 residents
in the top 13.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS87thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
2.7 pCi/L
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS84thDefinition & 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 21% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS79thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Mammography
71.9%
in the bottom 24% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST10thUS24thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, Chilhowie, Virginia (ZIP 24319) stands in the bottom 29% nationally (22,655th) and the bottom 24% of Virginia (666th).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: fiber broadband sits in the top 4.5% nationally. Modeled extreme heat resides at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled arsenic stands in the bottom 9.9% nationally, and park land sits in the top 10.2% nationally. Distance to a community health center resides at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Pharmacy stands in the top 13.3% nationally. Distance to a nursing home sits at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility resides in the top 17% nationally. By contrast, modeled pfas stands in the top 11.3% nationally, and radon sits in the top 16% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. ZIP 24236, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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.
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 77%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 42%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 43%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 23%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 36%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 93%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 39%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 30%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 19%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 12%
8%
Disability
healthier than 30%
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 75.0 ± 1.6 years. A median household income of $52,721 predicts 77.6 years — 2.5 years below.
Ranked #3,484 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
24236
Virginiashares a border
Score 47.76
Closest healthier
24340
Virginiashares a border
Score 50.89
Similar health profile
24605
Virginia99% similar profile
Score 42.73
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 | 33.2% | 29.9–36.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.8% | 35.8–43.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.9% | 9.0–10.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.2–12.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.8–9.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.3% | 9.1–11.6 |
| Depression among adults | 26.2% | 22.6–30.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.6% | 12.8–16.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.3% | 37.2–45.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.0% | 30.7–45.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–4.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.9% | 14.1–20.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.3% | 7.7–11.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.7% | 77.0–82.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.3% | 76.1–82.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.4% | 84.5–88.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.9% | 60.1–69.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.5% | 56.0–63.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 71.9% | 63.8–78.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.1% | 11.7–16.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.7% | 15.3–20.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.5% | 25.2–34.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.1% | 31.0–43.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 23.5% | 20.6–26.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.7% | 16.7–20.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.1% | 15.2–19.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.4% | 15.5–19.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.9% | 32.7–41.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.2–10.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.6% | 16.4–21.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.4% | 17.5–23.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.6% | 12.4–17.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 11.5–16.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.2–12.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 7.1–9.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.7% | 29.3–38.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.5–8.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 19.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.2% (0.0–8.2%) n=860 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.6% (0.0–11.3%) n=862 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 53.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 23.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 42.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $52,721 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $156,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $822 | $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 | 75.0 yr ± 0.80 | 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 0.80 years of 75.0, 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