ZIP code
28394
in Vass, North CarolinaPopulation 5,936
54.90/ 100
Ranked #9,557 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 30%)
Ranked #224 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 28%)
Ranked #7 of 11 Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC 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.
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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.3%
in the bottom 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›PFOS in drinking water
90.4%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
0.54 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Radon
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST37thUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a community health center
12.3 mi
in the top 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS84thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, Vass, North Carolina (ZIP 28394) lands in the top 30% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,557th) and the top 28% of North Carolina (224th).
Taken together, the profile's clearest strengths surface right away: lead in tap water lies at the national minimum, and modeled arsenic resides in the bottom 7.6% nationally. Childcare lands in the top 9.1% nationally, and modeled radon registers in the bottom 9.4% nationally. Against that, PFOA in drinking water sits in the top 8.5% nationally, PFOS in drinking water rests in the top 8.7% nationally, and fatal road crashes is in the top 11.7% nationally. Modeled pfas stands in the top 11.9% nationally, distance to a community health center settles in the top 16% nationally, and floodplain exposure lies in the top 16% nationally.
To translate a couple of terms, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 28310, 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 Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC 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 63%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 71%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 80%
11%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 41%
8%
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 23%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 19%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 69%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 64%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 74%
11%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 55%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 60%
11%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 50%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 50%
14%
Disability
healthier than 40%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 30%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 30%
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
28310
North Carolinashares a border
Score 56.98
Closest healthier
28327
North Carolinashares a border
Score 56.92
Similar health profile
29054
South Carolina95% similar profile
Score 54.96
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 | 28.0% | 24.4–31.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.6% | 32.0–40.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.8% | 7.9–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.4–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.3–8.3 |
| Depression among adults | 25.0% | 21.0–28.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.4% | 9.7–13.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.9% | 32.2–41.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.3% | 26.4–41.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.2–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.0% | 7.2–11.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.8% | 8.2–11.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.1% | 73.9–79.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.9% | 76.2–83.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.0% | 86.3–89.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.3% | 64.4–73.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.3% | 61.8–68.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.0% | 71.8–85.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.0% | 12.1–18.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.5% | 11.2–15.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.1% | 18.0–26.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.7% | 26.6–39.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.0% | 15.4–20.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.2–18.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.9% | 11.1–14.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.7% | 12.7–16.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.3% | 27.7–36.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–8.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–9.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.9% | 11.9–16.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.3% | 18.3–24.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.2% | 11.3–15.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.1–12.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.1–12.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.5–8.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.8% | 26.4–35.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–8.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 14.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 34.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 79.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 49.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 21.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 38.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $79,643 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $300,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,100 | $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 unavailable for this ZIP — fewer than 80% of the census tracts that make it up could be matched across the 2010→2020 tract-boundary revision, so no value is published rather than an unreliable one. See how coverage gaps are handled. | |||
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