ZIP code
25414
in Charles Town, West VirginiaPopulation 21,073
50.42/ 100
Ranked #15,663 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 49%)
Ranked #9 of 697 West Virginia ZIPs (top 1.3%)
Ranked #283 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (bottom 8.2%)
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.
Nitrate in drinking water
25.4%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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 ›Distance to an emergency room
0.2 mi
in the bottom 12.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Radon
2.7 pCi/L
in the top 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS85thDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
2.0%
in the bottom 13.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS13thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
128 units
in the top 16% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS84thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$105,500
in the top 16% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS84thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
30.4%
in the bottom 27% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS27thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
6.8%
in the bottom 28% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS28thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
4.4%
in the bottom 30% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS30thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Stroke
3.3%
in the bottom 28% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS28thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›The read
Charles Town, West Virginia (ZIP 25414), by its composite score, sits in the top 49% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,663rd) and the top 1.3% of West Virginia (9th).
The measures fall on both sides for this area, fairly evenly: distance to a community health center registers at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Distance to an emergency room settles in the bottom 12.6% nationally, and pharmacy sits in the top 13.4% nationally. Distance to a nursing home lies at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Modeled energy burden rests in the bottom 13.3% nationally, and subsidized affordable housing resides in the top 16% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled nitrate is in the top 1.9% nationally, radon lands in the top 15% nationally, and pfas stands in the top 15% nationally. Households without a vehicle registers in the top 19% nationally.
For anyone unfamiliar, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, 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. 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. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 22611, 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area.
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 80%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 73%
13%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 60%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 38%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 97%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 98%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 84%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 99%
8%
Disability
healthier than 98%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 96%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 96%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 8%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 17%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
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 78.7 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $105,500 predicts 80.3 years — 1.6 years below.
Ranked #2,019 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
22611
Virginiashares a border
Score 57.18
Closest healthier
20135
Virginialess than 0.1 mi away
Score 61.51
Similar health profile
25560
West Virginia97% similar profile
Score 51.40
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 | 33.7% | 30.1–37.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.9% | 36.7–45.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.8% | 8.0–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.0% | 10.5–13.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.5–8.4 |
| Depression among adults | 27.4% | 23.7–31.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.5% | 11.7–15.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.5% | 36.2–44.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.5% | 31.7–45.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.1% | 12.5–18.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.5% | 6.3–8.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.1% | 73.8–79.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.2% | 77.8–84.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.0% | 87.5–90.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.7% | 64.1–73.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.7% | 57.2–64.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.1% | 70.3–83.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.5% | 10.9–16.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.9% | 12.7–17.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.4% | 22.1–30.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.8% | 32.3–43.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.9% | 17.4–22.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.3% | 16.2–20.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.3% | 12.5–16.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.1% | 13.3–17.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.7% | 27.6–35.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.5% | 12.6–16.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–4.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.7% | 18.5–25.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 10.5–14.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.1% | 10.3–13.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.4–12.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–8.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.4% | 26.0–35.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.9–10.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WV median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (0.0–41.0%) n=694 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.1% (0.0–21.5%) n=682 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.8% (0.9–29.6%) n=695 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 35.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 14.1% (0.0–32.5%) n=695 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.4% (0.0–17.9%) n=668 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.3% (0.0–17.1%) n=694 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 85.7% (62.6–100.0%) n=694 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 18.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 16.7% (0.0–34.6%) n=694 |
| Homeownership rate | 77.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 84.0% (61.6–100.0%) n=694 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.0% (0.0–4.1%) n=694 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.0% (0.0–2.1%) n=696 |
| Single-parent households | 46.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.0% (31.3–90.6%) n=686 |
| Population 65+ | 15.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 22.0% (10.4–45.0%) n=696 |
| Median age | 40.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 45.9 yr (32.6–62.1) n=681 |
| Median household income | $105,500 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,088 ($33,083–$85,218) n=539 |
| Median home value | $391,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $125,600 ($66,920–$223,500) n=553 |
| Median gross rent | $1,061 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $802 ($586–$1,085) n=293 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WV median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 78.7 yr ± 0.77 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 76.2 yr (73.1–81.1) n=686 |
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 78.7, 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