ZIP code
28135
in Polkton, North CarolinaPopulation 4,655
39.30/ 100
Ranked #27,201 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 15%)
Ranked #716 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (bottom 9.8%)
Ranked #108 of 113 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ZIPs (bottom 4.5%)
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.
PFOA in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “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 ›PFOS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were 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 ›Tooth loss
25.5%
in the top 6.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
14.5%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
20.1%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
20.2%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
13.6%
in the top 8.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
26.7%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Polkton, North Carolina (ZIP 28135) lands in the bottom 15% nationally (27,201st) and the bottom 9.8% of North Carolina (716th).
A number of measures mark where this area is under strain: PFOA in drinking water lies at the national maximum, and PFOS in drinking water lands at the national maximum. PFAS in drinking water sits at the national maximum, and modeled tooth loss is in the top 6.7% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff settles in the top 7.8% nationally, cognitive disability resides in the top 9.0% nationally, and housing insecurity registers in the top 8.7% nationally. Modeled transportation rests in the top 8.9% nationally, and food insecurity stands in the top 9.0% nationally. On the brighter side, lead in tap water lies at the national minimum.
A note on the terms: PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. 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. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 28103, 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.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 85%
14%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 23%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
Disability
healthier than 14%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 33%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 73%
14%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 33%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 18%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
in the top 1.0%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 9%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
5%
Healthcare Access
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
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 85.5; chronic-disease standing 22.8 — 63 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #1,548 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
28007
North Carolinashares a border
Score 38.12
Closest healthier
28103
North Carolinashares a border
Score 51.29
Similar health profile
35184
Alabama98% similar profile
Score 39.25
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 | 29.4% | 26.0–33.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.7% | 38.3–47.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.9% | 6.2–7.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.3% | 10.9–13.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.2 |
| Depression among adults | 26.2% | 22.4–30.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.0% | 13.0–17.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.9% | 31.6–40.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.1% | 34.2–51.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.7% | 4.3–5.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 25.5% | 21.3–30.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 14.1% | 11.8–16.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.9% | 72.7–78.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.5% | 75.8–82.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.7% | 82.6–86.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.1% | 54.7–65.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 50.8% | 46.8–54.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.7% | 67.7–82.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.4% | 10.8–16.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 21.6% | 18.7–24.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.9% | 26.9–37.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.6% | 32.5–47.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.8% | 23.5–30.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.6% | 18.3–23.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.1% | 14.3–18.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 20.1% | 17.9–22.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.8% | 35.0–44.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.0–9.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.8–13.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.0% | 16.6–21.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.0% | 24.0–32.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 26.7% | 23.5–30.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 25.5% | 22.2–28.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.2% | 17.7–22.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 12.0–15.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.8% | 30.5–41.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 14.5% | 12.8–16.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 18.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 30.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 19.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 6.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 71.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 40.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 13.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 38.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $66,920 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $208,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,034 | $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 | 76.9 yr ± 0.73 | 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 0.73 years of 76.9, 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