ZIP code
28098
in Lowell, North CarolinaPopulation 3,851
44.20/ 100
Ranked #23,227 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 28%)
Ranked #606 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (bottom 24%)
Ranked #99 of 113 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ZIPs (bottom 12.4%)
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.
PFAS in drinking water
77.3%
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Air-toxics cancer risk
40 per million
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.3%
in the bottom 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.6 mi
in the bottom 9.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
0.52 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Loud transportation noise
1.5%
in the top 11.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
7.3%
in the top 14.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS86thDefinition & 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 ›Housing-cost burden
36.8%
in the top 14.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Walkability
62 intersections/sq mi
in the top 17% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS83rdDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
61.5%
in the bottom 20% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS20thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, Lowell, North Carolina (ZIP 28098) lands in the bottom 28% nationally (23,227th) and the bottom 24% of North Carolina (606th).
The measures that press hardest set the tone here: modeled pfas registers in the top 2.5% nationally, and air-toxics cancer risk sits in the top 4.5% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site rests in the bottom 9.3% nationally, and modeled industrial-pollution burden is in the top 11.6% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise stands in the top 11.6% nationally, and transportation noise settles in the top 14.1% nationally. On the stronger side, modeled arsenic lies in the bottom 9.2% nationally, and childcare resides in the top 9.9% nationally. Distance to a community health center lands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Lead in tap water registers in the bottom 11.9% 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. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 28054, 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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 48%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 38%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 29%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 28%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 70%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 54%
21%
Disability
healthier than 40%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 36%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 4%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 87%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 22%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 19%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
28054
North Carolinashares a border
Score 50.02
Closest healthier
28056
North Carolinashares a border
Score 56.37
Similar health profile
24501
Virginia98% similar profile
Score 44.87
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% | 25.8–32.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.7% | 33.2–41.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–8.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.5% | 10.1–13.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.2% | 7.9–10.4 |
| Depression among adults | 27.2% | 23.1–31.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.0% | 11.1–14.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.9% | 32.4–41.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.4% | 29.6–44.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 20.3% | 16.8–24.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.9% | 9.8–14.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.5% | 73.4–79.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.8% | 75.1–82.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.6% | 83.5–87.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.5% | 56.4–66.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.1% | 53.2–61.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.2% | 66.1–81.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.2% | 12.3–18.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.8% | 15.0–20.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.5% | 22.7–31.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.9% | 31.6–44.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.7% | 19.5–25.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.9% | 16.6–21.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.0% | 13.0–16.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.8% | 15.4–20.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.8% | 30.8–40.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.2% | 8.9–11.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.6% | 14.3–18.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.7–7.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.0% | 19.2–26.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.9% | 15.8–22.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 16.7% | 13.9–19.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.6% | 12.4–17.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.7–11.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.8% | 28.3–39.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.6–11.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 17.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 23.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 36.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 75.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 46.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 16.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 40.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $53,000 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $201,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,603 | $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 | 75.0 yr ± 1.02 | 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 1.02 years of 75.0, 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