ZIP code
28174
in Wingate, North CarolinaPopulation 9,573
47.84/ 100
Ranked #19,127 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 40%)
Ranked #473 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (bottom 40%)
Ranked #86 of 113 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ZIPs (bottom 24%)
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.
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 ›Slow internet speeds
2.4%
in the top 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
32.3%
in the bottom 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
19.5%
in the top 11.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
5.4%
in the top 12.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
118.3 days/year
in the top 14.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
36.5%
in the top 14.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
10 days/year
in the top 36% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS64thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Wingate, North Carolina (ZIP 28174) ranks in the bottom 40% nationally (19,127th) and the bottom 40% of North Carolina (473rd).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: lead in tap water rests at the national minimum, and modeled high cholesterol stands in the bottom 7.4% nationally. Modeled radon lies in the bottom 12.2% nationally. Set against that, slow internet speeds lands in the top 4.9% nationally, modeled cognitive disability sits in the top 11.6% nationally, and modeled transportation is in the top 12.3% nationally. Crowded housing settles in the top 12.5% nationally, modeled humid heat resides in the top 14.3% nationally, and modeled loneliness registers in the top 14.6% nationally. PFOS in drinking water rests in the top 14.9% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. 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. Close by, ZIP 28103, just across the boundary, ranks healthier 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 70%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 56%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 58%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Disability
healthier than 49%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 2%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 77%
14%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 13%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 2%
8%
Disability
healthier than 30%
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 76.2 ± 2.4 years. A median household income of $71,136 predicts 78.7 years — 2.5 years below.
Ranked #3,428 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
28103
North Carolinashares a border
Score 51.29
Closest healthier
28110
North Carolinashares a border
Score 51.97
Similar health profile
49401
Michigan96% similar profile
Score 49.59
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 | 22.8% | 20.1–25.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.5% | 29.7–37.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.9% | 10.5–13.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–7.9 |
| Depression among adults | 27.0% | 23.1–31.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.6% | 10.0–13.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.3% | 28.5–36.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.8% | 29.8–44.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 17.8% | 14.6–21.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.6% | 11.4–16.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.4% | 69.6–74.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.9% | 73.9–81.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.8% | 78.9–84.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.8% | 58.7–68.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.8% | 53.9–61.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.7% | 69.1–82.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.0% | 12.1–18.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.6% | 12.4–16.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.0% | 22.6–31.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.6% | 29.4–41.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.9% | 19.0–25.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.7% | 18.2–23.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.5% | 11.9–15.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.5% | 16.9–22.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.5% | 30.7–40.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.6% | 5.8–7.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.4% | 9.1–11.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.2–15.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.0–4.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.0% | 21.3–29.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 21.9% | 18.7–25.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 17.5% | 14.9–20.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.5% | 14.2–19.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.3% | 10.6–14.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.5% | 31.3–42.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.4–12.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 19.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 23.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 18.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 14.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 64.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 15.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 29.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $71,136 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $226,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,149 | $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 | 76.2 yr ± 1.24 | 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 1.24 years of 76.2, 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