ZIP code
26034
in Chester, West VirginiaPopulation 4,664
41.32/ 100
Ranked #25,798 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 20%)
Ranked #131 of 697 West Virginia ZIPs (top 19%)
Ranked #14 of 31 Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH ZIPs (top 45%)
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.
Grocery access
0.22 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
58.5%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Radon
2.9 pCi/L
in the top 12.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS87thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›High cholesterol
43.2%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Child-care access
0.45 per 1,000 residents
in the top 13.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Dental provider access
0.67 per 1,000 residents
in the top 14.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS85thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
70.3%
in the top 19% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS81stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
9.1%
in the top 30% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS70thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Chester, West Virginia (ZIP 26034) sits in the bottom 20% nationally (25,798th) and the top 19% of West Virginia (131st).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: grocery registers in the top 6.0% nationally, distance to an emergency room lands in the bottom 12.6% nationally, and childcare resides in the top 13.2% nationally. Distance to a nursing home lies at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. On the other hand, modeled pfas settles in the top 8.6% nationally, and radon stands in the top 12.6% nationally. Modeled high blood pressure is in the top 10.8% nationally, and households without a vehicle rests in the top 12.0% nationally. Modeled obesity sits in the top 10.2% nationally, and high cholesterol registers in the top 9.8% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, 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 15043, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
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 Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 73%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 68%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 10%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 35%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 73%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 94%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 81%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 80%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 90%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 43%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 27%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Disability
healthier than 30%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
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
15043
Pennsylvaniashares a border
Score 54.61
Closest healthier
15059
Pennsylvaniashares a border
Score 46.88
Similar health profile
47383
Indiana99% similar profile
Score 43.68
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 | 39.9% | 36.0–43.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 45.6% | 41.0–50.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–11.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.1% | 10.6–13.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.0% | 7.9–10.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.7% | 9.2–12.2 |
| Depression among adults | 29.3% | 25.2–33.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.9% | 13.7–18.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 43.2% | 38.6–47.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.7% | 35.0–50.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 19.9% | 16.4–23.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.9% | 6.3–9.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.2% | 78.4–83.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.3% | 79.1–85.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.4% | 86.6–90.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.3% | 65.7–74.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.8% | 54.0–61.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.9% | 66.0–80.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.4% | 10.9–16.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.3% | 15.0–21.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.7% | 26.5–37.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.3% | 31.1–43.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 24.7% | 21.2–28.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.9% | 17.3–22.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 17.4% | 15.0–19.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.5% | 15.1–19.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.4% | 34.2–44.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.1–11.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.1% | 16.4–21.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.7–6.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.7% | 18.3–25.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.9% | 11.4–16.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.6% | 12.2–17.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 8.9–12.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.6–8.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.3% | 27.5–37.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.8–10.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WV median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (0.0–41.0%) n=694 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.1% (0.0–21.5%) n=682 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.8% (0.9–29.6%) n=695 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 20.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 14.1% (0.0–32.5%) n=695 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.4% (0.0–17.9%) n=668 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.3% (0.0–17.1%) n=694 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 85.7% (62.6–100.0%) n=694 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 16.7% (0.0–34.6%) n=694 |
| Homeownership rate | 76.5% | 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 | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 0.0% (0.0–2.1%) n=696 |
| Single-parent households | 52.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.0% (31.3–90.6%) n=686 |
| Population 65+ | 25.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 22.0% (10.4–45.0%) n=696 |
| Median age | 44.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 45.9 yr (32.6–62.1) n=681 |
| Median household income | $56,556 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,088 ($33,083–$85,218) n=539 |
| Median home value | $138,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $125,600 ($66,920–$223,500) n=553 |
| Median gross rent | $785 | $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 | 73.6 yr ± 1.45 | 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 1.45 years of 73.6, 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