ZIP code
27217
in Burlington, North CarolinaPopulation 41,406
41.92/ 100
Ranked #25,273 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 21%)
Ranked #670 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (bottom 16%)
Too few scored ZIPs in the Burlington, NC metro area to rank within it.
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.
Lead in tap water
0 ppb
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
US1stDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
17.7%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
8.9%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
6.5%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
14.3%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
27.5%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
13.9%
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
20.5%
in the top 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Obesity
44%
in the top 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST27thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›The read
By its overall health score, ZIP 27217, one of several in Burlington, North Carolina lands in the bottom 21% nationally (25,273rd) and the bottom 16% of North Carolina (670th).
The measures split the difference for this area: lead in tap water is at the national minimum. Distance to a community health center stands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Against that, modeled uninsured settles in the top 6.8% nationally, vision disability lies in the top 7.9% nationally, and self-care disability resides in the top 8.5% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff lands in the top 8.2% nationally, food insecurity registers in the top 8.2% nationally, and transportation sits in the top 8.3% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity rests in the top 8.3% nationally, and obesity is in the top 6.3% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 27215, 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 Burlington, NC metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 25%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 11%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 29%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 28%
8%
Disability
healthier than 12%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 61%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 36%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 31%
8%
Disability
healthier than 14%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 75%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
in the bottom 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the bottom 0.00%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Disability
in the bottom 0.00%
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 74.9 ± 0.8 years. A median household income of $51,950 predicts 77.5 years — 2.6 years below.
Ranked #3,647 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 74.9 ± 0.8 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 77.7 years — 2.9 years below them.
Ranked #2,288 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
27215
North Carolinashares a border
Score 55.38
Closest healthier
27244
North Carolinashares a border
Score 57.66
Similar health profile
28365
North Carolina98% similar profile
Score 40.91
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 | 29.9% | 26.6–33.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.2% | 37.1–45.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.7% | 10.3–13.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.5 |
| Depression among adults | 23.8% | 20.2–27.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.0% | 14.0–18.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.0% | 31.6–40.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 44.0% | 36.2–51.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.0% | 4.6–5.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 21.8% | 18.3–25.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 17.7% | 15.6–19.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.0% | 75.1–80.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.9% | 76.3–82.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.2–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.1% | 58.2–67.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 54.8% | 51.3–58.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.7% | 70.6–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.7% | 10.2–15.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.3% | 16.0–20.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.0% | 27.4–36.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.3% | 32.1–44.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 27.7% | 24.7–30.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.9% | 16.8–21.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.1% | 14.3–18.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.2% | 17.2–21.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.4% | 34.9–43.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.2–9.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.9% | 10.7–13.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.7% | 17.5–21.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.5% | 6.0–7.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.9% | 8.3–9.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.1% | 22.6–29.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 27.5% | 24.7–30.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 25.1% | 22.5–27.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.5% | 18.2–22.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 13.9% | 12.5–15.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.4% | 30.5–40.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 14.3% | 12.7–16.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 21.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 25.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 18.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 15.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 14.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 37.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 14.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 35.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $51,950 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $173,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $915 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $957 ($715–$1,575) n=687 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 74.9 yr ± 0.42 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 77.3 yr (74.6–80.8) n=747 |
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 0.42 years of 74.9, 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