ZIP code
28077
in High Shoals, North CarolinaPopulation 258
44.27/ 100
Ranked #23,151 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 28%)
Ranked #601 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (bottom 24%)
Ranked #97 of 113 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ZIPs (bottom 14.2%)
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
17.8%
in the bottom 1.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
43.8%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
12.9%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the bottom 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS3rdDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
73.3%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the bottom 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Median household income
$31,366
in the bottom 2.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.9%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.3%
in the bottom 8.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST14thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Overall, High Shoals, North Carolina (ZIP 28077) lands in the bottom 28% nationally (23,151st) and the bottom 24% of North Carolina (601st).
Where the load on this area runs deepest, the data leads: poverty sits in the top 2.4% nationally, and crowded housing is in the top 3.0% nationally. Modeled pfas settles in the top 3.6% nationally, and household income resides in the bottom 2.2% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise registers in the top 8.2% nationally, and cognitive disability rests in the top 16% nationally. More encouragingly, modeled disaster risk stands in the bottom 3.0% nationally, and expected annual loss lies in the bottom 6.9% nationally. Unemployment lands at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Modeled arsenic sits in the bottom 8.4% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. 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. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 28034, just across the boundary, ranks better 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. 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.
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 39%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 30%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 28%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 58%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 37%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 2%
8%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 30%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 1.0%
8%
Disability
healthier than 20%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
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
28034
North Carolinashares a border
Score 47.59
Closest healthier
28092
North Carolinashares a border
Score 49.26
Similar health profile
27014
North Carolina98% similar profile
Score 44.86
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 | 29.5% | 25.9–32.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.2% | 31.7–40.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.7% | 7.8–9.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.9% | 10.4–13.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.5–8.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.4% | 7.7–11.0 |
| Depression among adults | 28.5% | 24.3–32.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.9% | 10.1–13.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.7% | 32.2–40.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.3% | 27.6–42.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.5–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.3% | 12.4–18.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.2% | 9.3–15.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.1% | 72.9–78.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.0% | 74.0–81.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.9% | 82.1–87.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.0% | 57.8–68.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.9% | 56.2–63.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.7% | 66.9–81.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.7% | 12.7–18.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.4% | 14.3–20.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.7% | 21.7–31.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.7% | 29.7–42.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.2% | 18.5–25.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.7% | 17.2–22.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.1% | 12.9–17.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.7% | 15.9–21.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.8% | 31.5–41.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–9.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.3% | 8.7–12.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.4% | 13.8–19.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.6% | 3.9–5.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.2–6.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.2% | 19.4–27.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.3% | 13.7–21.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.3% | 11.3–17.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.3% | 11.0–15.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 8.1–11.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.3% | 29.7–40.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.2–10.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 43.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 31.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 9.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 17.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 12.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 9.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 49.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 8.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 30.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $31,366 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $312,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $845 | $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 | 74.6 yr ± 1.90 | 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 1.90 years of 74.6, 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