ZIP code
27703
in Durham, North CarolinaPopulation 63,458
57.65/ 100
Ranked #6,687 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 21%)
Ranked #143 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 18%)
Ranked #13 of 27 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ZIPs (top 48%)
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
705 units
in the top 2.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & 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
70%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS96thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.3 mi
in the bottom 8.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
5.2%
in the bottom 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
88.7%
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
32.1%
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
87%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Mammography
80.8%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, ZIP 27703, one of several in Durham, North Carolina comes out in the top 21% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,687th) and the top 18% of North Carolina (143rd).
The data is generous to this ZIP in several places worth naming: subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 2.7% nationally, lead in tap water is at the national minimum, and modeled hearing disability resides in the bottom 8.1% nationally. Modeled high cholesterol rests in the bottom 6.8% nationally, and mammography lies in the top 7.4% nationally. Working the other way, modeled pfas sits in the top 4.5% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site settles in the bottom 8.2% nationally. PFOS in drinking water registers in the top 9.4% nationally, and modeled expected annual loss stands in the top 9.7% nationally. PFOA in drinking water lands in the top 9.8% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. 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. 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 Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 27560, 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, 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 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 61%
8%
Disability
healthier than 68%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 58%
13%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 84%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 44%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 58%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 73%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 69%
8%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 42%
16%
Disability
healthier than 54%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
in the bottom 0.00%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 27%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 19%
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 ›
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 77.2 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $89,317 predicts 79.6 years — 2.4 years below.
Ranked #3,300 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 77.2 ± 1.5 years. The 39 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 79.9 years — 2.7 years below them.
Ranked #2,106 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
27522
North Carolinashares a border
Score 55.03
Closest healthier
27560
North Carolinashares a border
Score 74.64
Similar health profile
72211
Arkansas98% similar profile
Score 61.85
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 | 21.6% | 18.9–24.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.6% | 29.7–37.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.7% | 5.2–6.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 9.8–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–6.0 |
| Depression among adults | 22.6% | 19.3–26.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.2% | 9.7–12.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.1% | 28.1–36.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.4% | 31.7–45.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.9–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.5% | 10.2–15.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.5% | 10.7–14.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.4% | 71.1–77.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.1% | 76.6–83.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.2% | 85.4–88.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.2% | 61.2–70.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.9% | 60.3–67.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.8% | 74.0–86.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.2% | 12.4–18.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.2% | 10.5–14.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.9% | 20.2–27.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.0% | 30.5–41.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.7% | 16.5–21.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.9% | 14.0–18.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.4% | 10.1–12.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.3% | 12.7–16.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.2% | 25.5–33.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.2% | 4.5–5.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.8% | 7.0–8.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.5% | 10.9–14.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.6–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.1% | 20.8–27.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.5% | 16.2–20.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.3% | 13.4–17.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.6% | 13.7–17.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.3% | 28.7–38.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.2% | 8.9–11.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 47.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 17.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 55.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 14.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 36.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $89,317 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $378,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,584 | $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 | 77.2 yr ± 0.75 | 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 0.75 years of 77.2, 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