ZIP code
27520
in Clayton, North CarolinaPopulation 48,014
57.30/ 100
Ranked #6,984 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 22%)
Ranked #152 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 19%)
Ranked #30 of 48 Raleigh-Cary, NC ZIPs (bottom 38%)
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.
Natural-disaster risk
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
59.5%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
87.3%
in the top 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
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 ›PFOS in drinking water
87.3%
in the top 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
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 ›The read
On the composite measure, Clayton, North Carolina (ZIP 27520) stands in the top 22% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,984th) and the top 19% of North Carolina (152nd).
Several of the strongest readings define how this area looks: subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 11.8% nationally. Distance to a nursing home sits at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Modeled coronary heart disease resides in the bottom 14.6% nationally, and lead in tap water stands in the bottom 16% nationally. On the other hand, modeled disaster risk sits in the top 4.0% nationally, expected annual loss resides in the top 8.1% nationally, and pfas stands in the top 8.2% nationally. PFOA in drinking water sits in the top 9.7% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water resides in the top 9.9% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility stands at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs.
Set beside the wider area around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. 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. ZIP 27527, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 77%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 72%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 65%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 63%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 60%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 57%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 43%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 36%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 36%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Disability
healthier than 38%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
27504
North Carolinashares a border
Score 51.40
Closest healthier
27527
North Carolinashares a border
Score 61.24
Similar health profile
37135
Tennessee97% similar profile
Score 63.62
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 | 24.8% | 21.8–27.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.8% | 29.9–37.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.1% | 6.5–7.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.6–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–6.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.7 |
| Depression among adults | 24.4% | 20.9–28.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.8% | 9.4–12.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.0% | 29.9–38.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.5% | 27.6–42.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.9–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.7% | 10.3–15.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.4% | 9.0–11.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.8% | 71.5–77.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.3% | 75.8–82.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.9% | 86.2–89.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.1% | 62.1–71.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 64.7% | 61.0–68.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.4% | 72.4–85.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.7% | 12.8–18.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.3% | 11.5–15.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.0% | 18.5–25.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.8% | 28.7–40.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.3% | 15.2–19.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.8% | 15.0–18.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.1% | 10.7–13.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.5% | 13.0–16.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.4% | 26.5–34.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–7.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.8–8.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.5% | 10.9–14.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.3–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.3–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.4% | 19.2–25.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.1% | 12.4–16.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.5–12.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.2% | 10.7–14.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–9.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.1% | 27.5–37.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 7.0–9.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 13.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 33.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.5% | 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 | 49.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 12.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 37.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $86,322 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $320,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,605 | $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 | 79.5 yr ± 0.54 | 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 0.54 years of 79.5, 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