ZIP code
27705
in Durham, North CarolinaPopulation 49,923
61.43/ 100
Ranked #3,855 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 12.1%)
Ranked #74 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 9.4%)
Ranked #8 of 27 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ZIPs (top 30%)
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.
Homeownership rate
44.5%
in the bottom 6.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Physician access
2.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Outpatient-care access
0.53 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient clinics located inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
61.7%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
328 units
in the top 7.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
90.7%
in the top 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & 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
90.7%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
31.8%
in the bottom 6.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.18 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
1.7%
in the bottom 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›The read
By its overall health score, ZIP 27705, one of several in Durham, North Carolina lands in the top 12.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,855th) and the top 9.4% of North Carolina (74th).
Taken together, the profile's clearest strengths surface right away: distance to an emergency room registers at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Physicians sits in the top 6.7% nationally, and outpatient rests in the top 6.9% nationally. Subsidized affordable housing is in the top 7.4% nationally, modeled high cholesterol stands in the bottom 6.1% nationally, and grocery settles in the top 8.8% nationally. Against that, homeownership lies in the bottom 6.7% nationally, modeled pfas resides in the top 7.3% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water lands in the top 8.4% nationally. PFOS in drinking water registers in the top 8.6% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of 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. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. PFOS in drinking water is a common one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 27278, 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 89%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 79%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 54%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 44%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 92%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 84%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 79%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 85%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Disability
healthier than 81%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 31%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
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
27278
North Carolinashares a border
Score 62.79
Closest healthier
27514
North Carolinashares a border
Score 63.04
Similar health profile
93022
California98% similar profile
Score 57.32
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 | 20.9% | 18.6–23.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.2% | 26.9–33.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.9% | 6.3–7.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.2–11.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.6 |
| Depression among adults | 24.0% | 20.7–27.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.2% | 8.0–10.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 31.8% | 28.3–35.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.2% | 27.6–39.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–2.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.8% | 8.0–11.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.1% | 8.8–11.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.9% | 70.2–75.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.3% | 75.8–82.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.5% | 83.6–87.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.6% | 64.2–72.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.7% | 62.4–68.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.1% | 73.9–85.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.7% | 13.0–18.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.0% | 8.7–11.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.8% | 17.6–24.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.1% | 27.3–37.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.9% | 14.0–18.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.8–17.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 12.2–15.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.2% | 24.7–31.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.3–12.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.3 |
| 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 | 20.7% | 18.0–23.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.4% | 12.6–16.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.5% | 10.0–13.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.3% | 9.9–12.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.6–9.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.1% | 28.0–36.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.6% | 6.6–8.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 14.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 63.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 33.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 44.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 18.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 53.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 17.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 35.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $73,066 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $455,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,539 | $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 | 79.9 yr ± 0.57 | 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 0.57 years of 79.9, 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