ZIP code
27870
in Roanoke Rapids, North CarolinaPopulation 24,958
42.05/ 100
Ranked #25,171 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 22%)
Ranked #668 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (bottom 16%)
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
516 units
in the top 4.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Mental-health provider access
0.19 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 6.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
6.6%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
92.6%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Stroke
5.5%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
23.9%
in the top 8.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Distance to an emergency room
16.4 mi
in the top 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
0.00021 ppb
in the bottom 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
US10thDefinition & 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 ›The read
In overall standing, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina (ZIP 27870) comes out in the bottom 22% nationally (25,171st) and the bottom 16% of North Carolina (668th).
The profile opens balanced, with readings on either hand: subsidized affordable housing lies in the top 4.3% nationally, mental-health providers sits in the top 4.5% nationally, and lead in tap water settles in the bottom 9.6% nationally. By contrast, modeled industrial-pollution burden registers in the top 6.1% nationally, modeled self-care disability stands in the top 7.9% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water lands in the top 7.8% nationally. Modeled stroke is in the top 7.8% nationally, and tooth loss resides in the top 8.9% nationally. Modeled disaster risk rests in the top 9.0% nationally, and distance to an emergency room lies in the top 9.1% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. 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. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 27850, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 65%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 53%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 13%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 17%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Disability
healthier than 12%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 60%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 43%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 17%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 18%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 37%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 18%
11%
Disability
healthier than 14%
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 ›
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 74.5 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $49,502 predicts 77.3 years — 2.8 years below.
Ranked #3,909 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
27831
North Carolinashares a border
Score 32.28
Closest healthier
27850
North Carolinashares a border
Score 47.32
Similar health profile
27962
North Carolina99% similar profile
Score 34.60
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 | 33.0% | 29.9–37.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 46.0% | 42.1–51.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.1% | 7.4–9.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.1% | 10.9–13.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.8% | 8.0–9.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.7% | 9.6–12.1 |
| Depression among adults | 23.7% | 20.7–28.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.9% | 15.0–19.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.0% | 35.1–44.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.3% | 33.4–49.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.5% | 5.1–5.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 23.9% | 20.2–27.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.2% | 10.7–14.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.7% | 77.4–82.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.9% | 79.1–85.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.0% | 85.5–88.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.7% | 60.8–70.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 55.3% | 51.7–59.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.0% | 69.7–83.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.6% | 10.5–15.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.6% | 16.4–21.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.1% | 27.8–37.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.8% | 30.4–43.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.3% | 23.6–29.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.3% | 16.5–20.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.6–18.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.2% | 16.5–20.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.0% | 34.9–44.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.9–10.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.8–13.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.8% | 18.6–23.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.6% | 6.1–7.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.8–9.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.9% | 22.3–30.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.0% | 22.3–28.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 23.9% | 21.4–26.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.2% | 16.1–20.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.7% | 11.3–14.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.8% | 29.7–40.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 11.9–15.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 20.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 14.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 9.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 58.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 47.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 20.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 41.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $49,502 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $124,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $873 | $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 | 74.5 yr ± 0.71 | 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 0.71 years of 74.5, 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