Skip to main content
ZipVitals

Menu

ZIP code

28052

in Gastonia, North CarolinaPopulation 36,272

ZipVitals Score
How is the ZipVitals Score calculated? →

37.59/ 100

Ranked #28,240 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 12.0%)

Ranked #739 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (bottom 6.9%)

Ranked #111 of 113 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ZIPs (bottom 1.8%)

Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.

Robust across all 9 health domains

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.

Distance to a Superfund site

In this ZIP

at the national minimum

Higher is healthier

ST1st
US1st
Definition & 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 ›

PFAS in drinking water

72.8%

in the top 3.7% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST96th
US96th
Definition & 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

539 units

in the top 4.1% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST95th
US96th
Definition & source ›

The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

Full methodology ›

Arsenic in groundwater

1.2%

in the bottom 6.8% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST10th
US7th
Definition & source ›

The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.

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 ›

Utility shut-off threat

15.1%

in the top 6.9% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST94th
US93rd
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.

Full methodology ›

Self-care disability

6.6%

in the top 7.9% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST89th
US92nd
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.

Full methodology ›

Lack of transportation

14.3%

in the top 7.4% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST93rd
US93rd
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.

Full methodology ›

Vision disability

8.8%

in the top 8.3% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST91st
US92nd
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.

Full methodology ›

Housing insecurity

21.1%

in the top 7.6% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST95th
US92nd
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.

Full methodology ›

Food insecurity

27.9%

in the top 7.9% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST93rd
US92nd
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.

Full methodology ›

The read

In its overall standing, ZIP 28052, one of several in Gastonia, North Carolina lands in the bottom 12.0% nationally (28,240th) and the bottom 6.9% of North Carolina (739th).

continue reading

Several serious readings shape the profile and deserve first mention: distance to a Superfund site lands at the national minimum, modeled pfas lies in the top 3.7% nationally, and modeled utility shutoff stands in the top 6.9% nationally. Modeled self-care disability rests in the top 7.9% nationally, transportation registers in the top 7.4% nationally, and vision disability resides in the top 8.3% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity settles in the top 7.6% nationally, and food insecurity is in the top 7.9% nationally. On the better side, subsidized affordable housing sits in the top 4.1% nationally, and modeled arsenic lands in the bottom 6.8% nationally.

Against the wider neighborhood, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put simply, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. 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. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. On the overall standing, ZIP 28016, just across the boundary, ranks healthier.

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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area.

Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.

Compare within

Lifting this score

Healthcare Access

healthier than 87%

5%

Holding it back

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 23%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 10%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 13%

14%

Preventive Care

healthier than 21%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 14%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 15%

8%

Disability

healthier than 11%

7%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 36%

5%

Lifting this score

Healthcare Access

healthier than 85%

5%

Holding it back

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 33%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 11%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 3%

14%

Preventive Care

healthier than 6%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 3%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 9%

8%

Disability

healthier than 12%

7%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 38%

5%

Lifting this score

Healthcare Access

healthier than 76%

5%

Holding it back

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 10%

21%

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 5%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 13%

14%

Preventive Care

healthier than 5%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 2%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 6%

8%

Disability

healthier than 4%

7%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 32%

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

3 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 72.3 ± 0.9 years. A median household income of $49,643 predicts 77.3 years — 5.0 years below.

    Ranked #5,555 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 72.3 ± 0.9 years. The 44 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.7 years — 4.4 years below them.

    Ranked #3,186 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.

  • Highest-risk tenth

    Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale

    Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 37.4 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 72.3 ± 0.9 years.

    Ranked #1,794 of the 4,173 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by modeled air-toxics risk, highest first.

Nearby & similar ZIPs

Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.

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
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Arthritis among adults29.7%26.2–33.0
High blood pressure among adults41.7%37.1–45.9
Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults6.9%6.2–7.5
Current asthma among adults12.1%10.6–13.6
Coronary heart disease among adults7.9%7.1–8.7
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults10.2%9.2–11.3
Depression among adults25.6%21.7–29.4
Diagnosed diabetes among adults15.8%13.7–17.9
High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened36.6%32.1–40.8
Obesity among adults41.7%33.8–49.3
Stroke among adults4.9%4.5–5.3
All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years23.6%19.8–28.0
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years15.6%13.6–17.7
Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure77.2%74.2–79.9
Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults79.5%75.8–82.8
Cholesterol screening among adults84.6%82.7–86.4
Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years60.3%55.0–65.5
Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults51.6%47.7–55.5
Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years75.2%67.6–82.1
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Binge drinking among adults13.7%10.9–16.5
Current cigarette smoking among adults20.2%17.6–22.8
No leisure-time physical activity among adults32.8%27.9–37.6
Short sleep duration among adults41.2%34.8–48.0
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults27.8%24.8–30.8
Frequent mental distress among adults19.8%17.6–22.1
Frequent physical distress among adults16.4%14.4–18.3
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Cognitive disability among adults19.9%17.8–22.0
Any disability among adults39.6%35.0–44.0
Hearing disability among adults8.2%7.2–9.1
Independent living disability among adults12.4%11.2–13.6
Mobility disability among adults19.8%17.6–22.1
Self-care disability among adults6.6%6.1–7.2
Vision disability among adults8.8%8.1–9.5
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Lack of social and emotional support among adults26.3%22.5–30.3
Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults27.9%24.8–31.2
Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults26.7%23.8–29.7
Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults21.1%18.5–23.7
Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults14.3%12.7–15.9
Loneliness among adults35.9%30.4–41.4
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults15.1%13.3–17.0
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)NC median (p10–p90)
Poverty rate23.6%10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,36413.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793
Uninsured 18–6423.1%9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,28614.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794
No HS diploma (25+)16.8%7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,50510.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798
Bachelor's or higher (25+)16.5%23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,50522.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798
Unemployment rate (16+)8.4%3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,2744.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796
Households without a vehicle7.9%3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,3223.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793
Broadband subscription84.9%89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,32287.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793
Housing cost burden (≥30% income)36.0%23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,32224.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793
Homeownership rate54.7%78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,32275.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793
Crowded housing (>1 per room)4.9%1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,3221.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793
Foreign-born population8.7%2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,5534.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799
Single-parent households40.9%53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,08751.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790
Population 65+13.6%19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,55319.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799
Median age34.7 yr42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,29242.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797
Median household income$49,643$72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318$65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749
Median home value$187,500$222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049$223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758
Median gross rent$1,071$1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670$957 ($715–$1,575) n=687
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)NC median (p10–p90)
Life expectancy at birth72.3 yr ± 0.4478.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,30877.3 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 0.44 years of 72.3, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.

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