ZIP code
25438
in Ranson, West VirginiaPopulation 7,330
42.34/ 100
Ranked #24,940 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 22%)
Ranked #107 of 697 West Virginia ZIPs (top 15%)
Ranked #306 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (bottom 0.7%)
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
23.1%
in the top 2.0% 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
62.7%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS93rdDefinition & 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
0.42 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
41.8%
in the top 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST41stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Elder-services access
0.14 per 1,000 residents
in the top 10.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & 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 ›Physician access
1.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 11.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
207 units
in the top 11.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Radon
2.8 pCi/L
in the top 14.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS86thDefinition & 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 ›Crowded housing
4.8%
in the top 14.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS85thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
2.1%
in the bottom 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS16thDefinition & 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 ›The read
On the composite measure, Ranson, West Virginia (ZIP 25438) stands in the bottom 22% nationally (24,940th) and the top 15% of West Virginia (107th).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: distance to an emergency room sits at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Pharmacy resides in the top 7.3% nationally, and elder services stands in the top 10.8% nationally. Physicians sits in the top 11.0% nationally. Distance to a community health center resides at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 11.6% nationally. By contrast, modeled nitrate sits in the top 2.0% nationally, pfas resides in the top 7.0% nationally, and short sleep stands in the top 9.9% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff sits in the top 11.1% nationally.
For clarity, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, 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. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. ZIP 25414, 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. 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 74%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 29%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 32%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 32%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 94%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 96%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 80%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 36%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 85%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 4%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 30%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 11%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 2%
8%
Disability
healthier than 3%
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 74.7 ± 2.1 years. A median household income of $81,875 predicts 79.3 years — 4.6 years below.
Ranked #5,380 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 74.7 ± 2.1 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 79.1 years — 4.4 years below them.
Ranked #3,200 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
25414
West Virginiashares a border
Score 50.42
Closest healthier
25430
West Virginiashares a border
Score 46.47
Similar health profile
37019
Tennessee99% similar profile
Score 42.49
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 | 32.8% | 29.4–36.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.4% | 37.2–45.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.8% | 11.3–14.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–7.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.0% | 7.9–10.2 |
| Depression among adults | 29.3% | 25.4–33.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.8% | 12.9–16.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.2% | 35.0–43.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.6% | 34.6–48.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.9% | 13.9–20.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.6% | 8.9–12.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.9% | 71.8–77.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.3% | 75.8–82.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.6% | 83.6–87.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.6% | 59.8–69.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 52.2% | 48.3–56.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.9% | 67.5–81.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.4% | 10.9–16.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.3% | 16.6–22.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.9% | 27.2–36.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.8% | 35.9–47.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 24.9% | 21.9–28.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 21.5% | 19.1–24.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.5–18.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.1% | 16.9–21.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.6% | 32.2–41.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–8.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.9% | 14.7–19.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–4.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.8% | 21.3–28.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.0% | 16.4–21.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 19.7% | 17.2–22.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.6% | 13.6–17.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.2% | 9.1–11.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.4% | 28.8–38.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WV median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (0.0–41.0%) n=694 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.1% (0.0–21.5%) n=682 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 14.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.8% (0.9–29.6%) n=695 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 17.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 14.1% (0.0–32.5%) n=695 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.4% (0.0–17.9%) n=668 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.3% (0.0–17.1%) n=694 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 85.7% (62.6–100.0%) n=694 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 16.7% (0.0–34.6%) n=694 |
| Homeownership rate | 72.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 84.0% (61.6–100.0%) n=694 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.0% (0.0–4.1%) n=694 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.0% (0.0–2.1%) n=696 |
| Single-parent households | 35.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.0% (31.3–90.6%) n=686 |
| Population 65+ | 16.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 22.0% (10.4–45.0%) n=696 |
| Median age | 38.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 45.9 yr (32.6–62.1) n=681 |
| Median household income | $81,875 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,088 ($33,083–$85,218) n=539 |
| Median home value | $254,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $125,600 ($66,920–$223,500) n=553 |
| Median gross rent | $1,087 | $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 | 74.7 yr ± 1.06 | 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 1.06 years of 74.7, 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