ZIP code
28456
in Riegelwood, North CarolinaPopulation 3,860
46.29/ 100
Ranked #21,007 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 34%)
Ranked #530 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (bottom 33%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Elder-services access
0.57 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Fatal road crashes
51.8 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.29 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
11.8%
in the bottom 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
11.0%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
46.6%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.7 pCi/L
in the bottom 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
119.2 days/year
in the top 13.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS86thDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
40.6%
in the top 14.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS86thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Riegelwood, North Carolina (ZIP 28456) sits in the bottom 34% nationally (21,007th) and the bottom 33% of North Carolina (530th).
Where this area is stretched, the data is unambiguous: distance to a Superfund site settles at the national minimum, fatal road crashes stands in the top 3.5% nationally, and unemployment is in the top 7.9% nationally. Modeled high blood pressure rests in the top 8.5% nationally, tooth loss sits in the top 11.3% nationally, and stroke registers in the top 11.3% nationally. Better still, elder services lands in the top 2.0% nationally, and grocery resides in the top 3.9% nationally. Modeled binge drinking lies in the bottom 5.8% nationally, and radon settles in the bottom 2.5% nationally.
In plain language, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. ZIP 28451, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 91%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 70%
13%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 44%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 18%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 17%
16%
Disability
healthier than 26%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 33%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 80%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 61%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 26%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 18%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Disability
healthier than 35%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 28%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 18%
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 90.7 (top 10%); chronic-disease standing 18.4 — 72 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #933 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
28423
North Carolinashares a border
Score 38.29
Closest healthier
28451
North Carolinashares a border
Score 55.52
Similar health profile
27922
North Carolina98% similar profile
Score 43.25
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 | 31.9% | 29.2–34.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 46.6% | 43.4–50.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.6% | 7.0–8.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.1% | 11.0–13.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.9% | 7.3–8.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.7–9.4 |
| Depression among adults | 21.8% | 19.2–24.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.6% | 14.9–18.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.2% | 35.0–41.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.6% | 35.8–47.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.2% | 4.9–5.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 22.5% | 19.4–25.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.6% | 10.1–13.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.7% | 78.6–82.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 83.0% | 80.5–85.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.9% | 87.6–90.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.9% | 63.1–70.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 55.0% | 51.8–57.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.1% | 73.9–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 11.8% | 10.1–13.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.0% | 14.2–18.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.6% | 27.0–34.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.6% | 35.7–45.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 24.1% | 21.8–26.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.2% | 15.6–18.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.7% | 13.4–16.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.3% | 14.7–17.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 37.3% | 34.0–40.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.8–8.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.2% | 9.2–11.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 19.3% | 17.5–21.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.5% | 5.1–6.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.6–7.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.7% | 24.9–31.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 21.1% | 18.9–23.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 17.8% | 15.8–20.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.7% | 15.0–18.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.7% | 9.8–12.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.7% | 32.0–40.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.1% | 10.0–12.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 21.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 11.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 11.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 11.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 81.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.5% | 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 | 38.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 18.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 47.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $49,670 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $167,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $785 | $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 | 75.3 yr ± 1.38 | 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 1.38 years of 75.3, 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