ZIP code
26521
in Blacksville, West VirginiaPopulation 113
49.31/ 100
Ranked #17,225 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 46%)
Ranked #16 of 697 West Virginia ZIPs (top 2.3%)
Ranked #3 of 22 Morgantown, WV ZIPs (top 13.7%)
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.
Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the bottom 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Housing-cost burden
7.5%
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
11.5%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
12.2 mi
in the top 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
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 ›Mammography
79.8%
in the top 12.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
2.0%
in the bottom 13.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS14thDefinition & 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 ›Food insecurity
10.5%
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
4.3%
in the bottom 27% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS27thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
6.9%
in the bottom 26% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS26thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›The read
In its overall standing, Blacksville, West Virginia (ZIP 26521) lands in the bottom 46% nationally (17,225th) and the top 2.3% of West Virginia (16th).
This area's measures are easy to read as a mixed set: modeled expected annual loss settles in the bottom 4.6% nationally, and housing-cost burden is in the bottom 6.8% nationally. Unemployment sits at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Modeled extreme heat lands at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled tree cover lies in the top 10.8% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise stands at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Distance to a community health center rests at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Set against that, modeled transportation noise registers in the top 6.8% nationally, and distance to a nursing home resides in the top 7.7% nationally. Fiber broadband settles at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs.
Put simply, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. On the overall standing, ZIP 26590, just across the boundary, ranks healthier.
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 Morgantown, 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 85%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 27%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 35%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 37%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 36%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 98%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 96%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Mental Health
in the top 0.5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 95%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 22%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 70%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 95%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 90%
11%
Mental Health
in the top 0.00%
8%
Disability
healthier than 85%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 20%
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
15362
Pennsylvaniashares a border
Score 46.11
Closest healthier
26590
West Virginiashares a border
Score 49.94
Similar health profile
26422
West Virginia97% similar profile
Score 47.73
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 | 36.2% | 32.6–39.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.4% | 37.5–45.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.4% | 10.0–12.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.3–9.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.1% | 7.5–10.7 |
| Depression among adults | 26.9% | 23.3–30.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.6% | 12.5–16.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 43.2% | 39.2–47.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.8% | 27.5–38.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.9% | 10.4–15.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.9% | 5.3–8.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.9% | 79.0–84.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.0% | 77.6–83.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.4% | 87.4–91.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.9% | 65.3–74.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.7% | 56.0–63.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.8% | 73.1–85.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.6% | 12.9–18.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.9% | 12.9–18.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.7% | 21.3–30.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.7% | 34.5–45.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.5% | 17.3–24.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.3% | 16.0–20.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.3% | 13.2–17.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.2% | 12.9–17.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.5% | 28.1–37.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.2–9.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.8% | 13.3–18.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.0–4.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.7–5.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.5% | 18.0–25.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 8.3–13.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 8.2–13.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.2–10.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.3–7.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.8% | 28.2–37.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.3–8.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | WV median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 16.3% (0.0–41.0%) n=694 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 0.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 7.1% (0.0–21.5%) n=682 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.8% (0.9–29.6%) n=695 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 14.1% (0.0–32.5%) n=695 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.4% (0.0–17.9%) n=668 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.3% (0.0–17.1%) n=694 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 85.7% (62.6–100.0%) n=694 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 7.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 16.7% (0.0–34.6%) n=694 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 84.0% (61.6–100.0%) n=694 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 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 | 92.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 57.0% (31.3–90.6%) n=686 |
| Population 65+ | 49.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 22.0% (10.4–45.0%) n=696 |
| Median age | 63.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 45.9 yr (32.6–62.1) n=681 |
| Median household income | $80,625 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $55,088 ($33,083–$85,218) n=539 |
| Median home value | $70,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $125,600 ($66,920–$223,500) n=553 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 76.2 yr ± 1.77 | 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 1.77 years of 76.2, 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