ZIP code
25443
in Shepherdstown, West VirginiaPopulation 7,496
55.14/ 100
Ranked #9,290 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 29%)
Ranked #2 of 697 West Virginia ZIPs (top 0.3%)
Ranked #245 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (bottom 20%)
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
6.6%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
73.5%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Civic-institution access
0.64 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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
2.9 pCi/L
in the top 12.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS88thDefinition & 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 12.6% 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 ›Median household income
$111,593
in the top 12.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS87thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Mammography
79.3%
in the top 15% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
9.7%
in the bottom 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS18thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
2.9%
in the bottom 14.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS14thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
3.8%
in the bottom 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS15thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, Shepherdstown, West Virginia (ZIP 25443) lands in the top 29% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,290th) and the top 0.3% of West Virginia (2nd).
Taken together, the profile's clearest strengths surface right away: modeled colon screening lands in the top 6.0% nationally, and civic registers in the top 8.9% nationally. Distance to a nursing home sits at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Home broadband subscription rests in the top 13.5% nationally, modeled energy burden is in the bottom 12.6% nationally, and household income stands in the top 12.7% nationally. Modeled mammography settles in the top 15% nationally. Against that, modeled nitrate lies in the top 3.8% nationally, radon resides in the top 12.0% nationally, and pfas lands in the top 12.4% nationally.
To translate a couple of terms, 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. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 21782, 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 89%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 88%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 82%
11%
Disability
healthier than 74%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 52%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 55%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 98%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.2%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 98%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 98%
8%
Disability
in the top 0.8%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 14%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 48%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 16%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 29%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 31%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
21782
Marylandshares a border
Score 55.30
Closest healthier
21758
Marylandabout 0.4 mi away
Score 59.86
Similar health profile
27357
North Carolina98% similar profile
Score 52.01
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 | 32.2% | 29.1–35.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.3% | 34.6–42.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.2% | 8.4–10.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.9% | 10.5–13.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.8 |
| Depression among adults | 28.0% | 24.3–31.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.1% | 10.5–13.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.3% | 35.3–43.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.9% | 28.8–41.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.7–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.0% | 9.1–13.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.7% | 4.7–7.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.3% | 74.6–79.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.4% | 78.0–84.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.2% | 86.2–89.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 73.5% | 69.4–77.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.7% | 63.5–70.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.3% | 73.0–84.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.9% | 11.3–16.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.8% | 9.9–14.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.9% | 19.1–27.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.7% | 29.6–40.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.2% | 14.8–19.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.1% | 15.9–20.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.9% | 11.3–14.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.4% | 12.4–16.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.2% | 26.1–34.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.6–8.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.1–15.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.9% | 17.0–23.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 7.9–11.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.4–10.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.1–10.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.7% | 26.5–35.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.1–8.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WV median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (0.0–41.0%) n=694 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.1% (0.0–21.5%) n=682 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.8% (0.9–29.6%) n=695 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 58.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 14.1% (0.0–32.5%) n=695 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.4% (0.0–17.9%) n=668 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.3% (0.0–17.1%) n=694 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 85.7% (62.6–100.0%) n=694 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 15.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 16.7% (0.0–34.6%) n=694 |
| Homeownership rate | 85.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 84.0% (61.6–100.0%) n=694 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.0% (0.0–4.1%) n=694 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.0% (0.0–2.1%) n=696 |
| Single-parent households | 55.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.0% (31.3–90.6%) n=686 |
| Population 65+ | 18.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 22.0% (10.4–45.0%) n=696 |
| Median age | 40.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 45.9 yr (32.6–62.1) n=681 |
| Median household income | $111,593 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,088 ($33,083–$85,218) n=539 |
| Median home value | $414,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $125,600 ($66,920–$223,500) n=553 |
| Median gross rent | $1,099 | $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 | 81.5 yr ± 1.50 | 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 1.50 years of 81.5, 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