ZIP code
28390
in Spring Lake, North CarolinaPopulation 24,000
46.88/ 100
Ranked #20,303 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 37%)
Ranked #504 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (bottom 36%)
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.
High cholesterol
31.6%
in the bottom 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
90.4%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
49.3%
in the bottom 8.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
90.4%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Elder-services access
0.13 per 1,000 residents
in the top 12.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Short sleep
41.2%
in the top 12.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST33rdUS8thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
36.3%
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS84thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
5.9%
in the bottom 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS15thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, ZIP 28390, one of several in Spring Lake, North Carolina lands in the bottom 37% nationally (20,303rd) and the bottom 36% of North Carolina (504th).
Strengths and concerns sit side by side across the measures here: modeled high cholesterol lies in the bottom 5.7% nationally, and elder services resides in the top 12.1% nationally. Modeled arsenic lands in the bottom 12.6% nationally. On the other hand, PFOA in drinking water registers in the top 8.5% nationally, homeownership sits in the bottom 8.7% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water rests in the top 8.8% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff is in the top 12.0% nationally, short sleep stands in the top 12.0% nationally, and housing insecurity settles in the top 12.5% nationally. Modeled transportation lies in the top 12.6% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of 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. 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 27332, 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.
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 68%
21%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 44%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 18%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 26%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Disability
healthier than 40%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 81%
21%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 55%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 51%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 19%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
“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 75.3 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $62,972 predicts 78.3 years — 3.0 years below.
Ranked #4,143 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
27332
North Carolinashares a border
Score 51.28
Closest healthier
27546
North Carolinashares a border
Score 49.83
Similar health profile
45701
Ohio98% similar profile
Score 42.54
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 | 23.9% | 21.9–26.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.9% | 34.1–40.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.2% | 4.9–5.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.7% | 10.6–12.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.4% | 5.0–5.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.4 |
| Depression among adults | 26.3% | 23.5–29.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.0% | 10.8–13.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 31.6% | 28.8–34.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.1% | 35.1–45.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.3–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 18.2% | 15.5–20.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.6% | 11.2–14.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.0% | 69.7–74.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.3% | 75.6–80.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.0% | 82.2–85.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.8% | 58.7–66.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.4% | 54.3–60.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.0% | 71.2–81.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.0% | 13.9–18.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.3% | 14.5–18.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.7% | 23.6–30.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.2% | 36.5–45.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.8% | 19.7–24.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.6% | 17.9–21.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.2% | 12.0–14.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.0% | 16.4–19.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.4% | 32.1–38.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.4–6.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.8% | 9.0–10.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.4% | 13.1–15.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.3–4.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.5% | 6.0–6.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.1% | 23.3–29.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.4% | 20.2–24.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 19.7% | 17.6–21.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.9% | 16.2–19.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.2% | 11.1–13.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.3% | 32.6–40.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.7% | 11.5–14.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 17.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 29.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 85.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 49.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 39.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 9.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 29.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $62,972 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $219,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,249 | $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 | 75.2 yr ± 0.63 | 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 0.63 years of 75.2, 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