ZIP code
27814
in Blounts Creek, North CarolinaPopulation 1,671
58.22/ 100
Ranked #6,217 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 19%)
Ranked #133 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 17%)
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.
Colon-cancer screening
76.9%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
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 ›Transportation noise
0.16%
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS10thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.7 pCi/L
in the bottom 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
117.6 days/year
in the top 14.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
11.8%
in the bottom 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS16thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
42.3%
in the top 14.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS86thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
6.5%
in the bottom 20% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS20thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Blounts Creek, North Carolina (ZIP 27814) sits in the top 19% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,217th) and the top 17% of North Carolina (133rd).
Where this area does well, the measures make it plain: modeled colon screening resides in the top 1.2% nationally, lead in tap water lies at the national minimum, and modeled transportation noise settles in the bottom 9.7% nationally. Modeled radon stands in the bottom 3.9% nationally, transportation is in the bottom 17% nationally, and cognitive disability rests in the bottom 16% nationally. Modeled short sleep sits in the bottom 18% nationally. Against that, distance to an emergency room registers in the top 13.1% nationally, and modeled humid heat lands in the top 14.6% nationally. Modeled high blood pressure resides in the top 13.6% nationally.
In plain language, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. ZIP 28556, about 13 miles away, ranks healthier overall.
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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 66%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 96%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 91%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 82%
8%
Disability
healthier than 63%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 38%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 87%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 87%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 96%
8%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 43%
21%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 23%
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
One of our published findings lists 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.
Clean environment, heavy chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 95.9 (top 10%); chronic-disease standing 30.5 — 65 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #1,358 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
27806
North Carolinashares a border
Score 36.45
Closest healthier
28556
North Carolinaabout 13 mi away
Score 58.23
Similar health profile
02641
Massachusetts99% similar profile
Score 63.16
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 | 34.4% | 30.6–38.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 44.6% | 40.1–49.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.1% | 9.9–12.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.2–12.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.1% | 7.0–9.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.2–9.2 |
| Depression among adults | 21.9% | 18.6–25.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.0% | 12.0–16.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.3% | 37.6–47.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.9% | 26.5–42.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.3% | 3.7–4.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.6% | 10.8–16.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.5% | 5.0–8.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 83.1% | 80.2–85.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 84.3% | 81.4–87.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 92.5% | 91.1–93.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 76.9% | 72.0–80.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.7% | 63.9–71.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.6% | 71.0–84.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.3% | 10.8–16.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.9% | 9.3–14.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.7% | 17.3–26.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.6% | 25.5–38.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.1% | 14.1–20.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.6% | 11.7–15.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.8% | 10.9–15.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.8% | 9.9–13.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.9% | 26.0–36.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.2–9.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.0% | 5.9–8.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.5% | 12.9–18.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.3–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 3.9–5.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.1% | 16.7–23.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 7.9–12.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.6% | 5.9–9.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 6.7–9.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.8–6.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.4% | 24.4–34.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.6–6.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 23.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 32.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.2% | 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) | 15.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 57.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 26.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 51.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $77,368 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $166,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $788 | $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 | 76.5 yr ± 1.65 | 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 1.65 years of 76.5, 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