ZIP code
27253
in Graham, North CarolinaPopulation 33,114
52.90/ 100
Ranked #12,223 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 38%)
Ranked #272 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 34%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
313 units
in the top 7.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
56.5%
in the top 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS90thDefinition & 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
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST38thUS10thDefinition & 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
Graham, North Carolina (ZIP 27253), by its overall standing, sits in the top 38% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,223rd) and the top 34% of North Carolina (272nd).
The data is generous to this ZIP in several places worth naming: subsidized affordable housing lies in the top 7.8% nationally. Distance to a nursing home sits at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Modeled radon settles in the bottom 9.7% nationally. Working the other way, modeled pfas registers in the top 9.6% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility stands at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. PFOA in drinking water lands in the top 17% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water is in the top 18% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss resides in the top 20% nationally, humid heat rests in the top 21% nationally, and loud transportation noise lies in the top 21% nationally.
Defined in plain terms, 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. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall 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
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 51%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 41%
8%
Disability
healthier than 46%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 40%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 70%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 60%
11%
Disability
healthier than 63%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 63%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 63%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 25%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 38%
11%
Disability
healthier than 38%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 25%
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
27215
North Carolinashares a border
Score 55.38
Closest healthier
27302
North Carolinashares a border
Score 57.02
Similar health profile
29690
South Carolina93% similar profile
Score 53.58
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 | 28.7% | 25.4–32.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.7% | 32.5–40.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–9.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.6–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.4 |
| Depression among adults | 24.1% | 20.4–27.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.2% | 10.5–13.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.8% | 31.3–40.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.5% | 30.9–46.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.7% | 11.2–16.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.0% | 10.5–13.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.5% | 74.2–80.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.0% | 76.3–83.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.6% | 85.7–89.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.7% | 61.7–71.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.5% | 59.0–65.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.5% | 71.4–84.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.2% | 11.4–17.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.3% | 12.4–16.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.4% | 20.4–28.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.9% | 28.8–40.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.2% | 17.8–22.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.1% | 15.1–19.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.5% | 11.9–15.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.6% | 13.9–17.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.9% | 28.7–37.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.7–8.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.8–9.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.9% | 13.1–16.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.3% | 4.0–4.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.3–6.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.8% | 19.5–26.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.4% | 14.3–18.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 11.7–15.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 11.4–15.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–10.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.1% | 28.3–38.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.5–9.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 26.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 8.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 42.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 18.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 39.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $62,774 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $235,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,041 | $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 | 78.4 yr ± 0.77 | 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 0.77 years of 78.4, 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