ZIP code
24368
in Rural Retreat, VirginiaPopulation 5,574
48.78/ 100
Ranked #17,956 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 44%)
Ranked #520 of 873 Virginia ZIPs (bottom 40%)
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.
Elder-services access
0.41 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Fiber broadband
98.9%
in the top 5.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Park land
26.6%
in the top 5.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.2%
in the bottom 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Loud transportation noise
1.6%
in the top 10.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS90thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Radon
2.9 pCi/L
in the top 12.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS87thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 26% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS74thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Rural Retreat, Virginia (ZIP 24368), by its overall standing, sits in the bottom 44% nationally (17,956th) and the bottom 40% of Virginia (520th).
Both sides of the picture show up plainly in this area's numbers: elder services is in the top 3.1% nationally, fiber broadband resides in the top 5.0% nationally, and park land rests in the top 5.4% nationally. Modeled arsenic lies in the bottom 5.6% nationally. Modeled extreme heat sits at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Distance to a nursing home settles at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Housing-cost burden registers in the bottom 17% nationally. By contrast, modeled loud transportation noise stands in the top 10.4% nationally, and radon lands in the top 12.8% nationally. Modeled transportation noise is in the top 14.9% nationally.
Held up against its neighbors, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined in plain terms, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 24318, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 60%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 29%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Disability
healthier than 37%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 28%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 56%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Disability
healthier than 46%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 34%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 23%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 30%
5%
“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 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $73,614 predicts 78.9 years — 1.7 years below.
Ranked #2,156 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
24311
Virginiashares a border
Score 41.34
Closest healthier
24318
Virginiashares a border
Score 49.77
Similar health profile
24280
Virginia96% similar profile
Score 48.66
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% | 30.3–36.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.6% | 35.9–43.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.2% | 9.3–11.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.1% | 10.0–12.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.5–9.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.3% | 8.3–10.4 |
| Depression among adults | 25.3% | 22.0–28.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.9% | 12.3–15.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.8% | 38.0–45.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.3% | 31.7–45.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.8–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.1% | 11.8–16.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.1% | 6.7–9.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.5% | 76.9–81.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.7% | 76.7–82.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.4% | 85.9–89.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.0% | 63.8–71.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.7% | 60.5–66.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.4% | 65.6–78.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.6% | 12.2–17.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.2% | 14.1–18.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.9% | 23.2–31.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.3% | 29.0–39.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.4% | 19.0–24.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.6% | 15.8–19.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.3–17.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.9% | 14.2–17.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.4% | 31.6–39.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.9–9.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.3–10.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.3% | 15.4–19.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.9–4.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.3% | 16.7–22.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 10.6–14.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.5% | 9.8–13.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 8.3–11.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.3–8.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.8% | 28.4–37.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.9–7.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | VA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.2% (2.0–22.9%) n=863 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 8.3% (0.0–19.2%) n=861 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 9.2% (1.9–20.7%) n=872 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 21.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 26.0% (9.2–59.8%) n=872 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.2% | 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 | 86.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.9% (69.5–97.9%) n=862 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 14.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.1% (10.8–38.1%) n=862 |
| Homeownership rate | 85.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 78.1% (52.2–95.9%) n=862 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=862 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.9% (0.0–17.0%) n=874 |
| Single-parent households | 44.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.3% (38.2–78.2%) n=855 |
| Population 65+ | 15.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.5% (10.8–37.3%) n=874 |
| Median age | 38.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.6 yr (34.0–59.2) n=864 |
| Median household income | $73,614 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $73,854 ($46,504–$141,698) n=804 |
| Median home value | $170,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $274,800 ($123,240–$642,380) n=789 |
| Median gross rent | $773 | $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 | 77.1 yr ± 0.68 | 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 0.68 years of 77.1, 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