ZIP code
28457
in Rocky Point, North CarolinaPopulation 11,464
49.31/ 100
Ranked #17,216 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 46%)
Ranked #422 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (bottom 47%)
Ranked #20 of 28 Wilmington, NC ZIPs (bottom 29%)
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 ›Park land
21%
in the top 6.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
57.1%
in the top 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Radon
0.6 pCi/L
in the bottom 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
30.2%
in the top 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
3.4%
in the top 10.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
118.1 days/year
in the top 14.4% 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 ›The read
Rocky Point, North Carolina (ZIP 28457), on the composite measure, lands in the bottom 46% nationally (17,216th) and the bottom 47% of North Carolina (422nd).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: lead in tap water lies at the national minimum, park land settles in the top 6.6% nationally, and modeled radon stands in the bottom 1.7% nationally. Working the other way, modeled pfas is in the top 9.3% nationally, floodplain exposure rests in the top 10.0% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure sits in the top 10.0% nationally. Modeled industrial-pollution burden registers in the top 13.5% nationally, and humid heat lands in the top 14.4% nationally. Walkability resides in the bottom 16% nationally, and modeled disaster risk lies in the top 17% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 28411, 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 Wilmington, NC metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 58%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 58%
11%
Disability
healthier than 43%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 16%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 41%
11%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 24%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 12%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 69%
21%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 42%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 27%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 15%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 23%
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
28401
North Carolinashares a border
Score 42.62
Closest healthier
28411
North Carolinashares a border
Score 62.68
Similar health profile
41085
Kentucky97% similar profile
Score 53.22
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 | 28.1% | 24.8–31.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.7% | 32.5–41.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.1% | 9.8–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.8% | 6.8–8.9 |
| Depression among adults | 25.7% | 22.0–29.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.2% | 10.5–14.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.0% | 30.7–39.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.9% | 30.2–46.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.3% | 10.7–16.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.3% | 10.4–14.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.0% | 72.8–78.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.2% | 74.5–81.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.6% | 84.7–88.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.4% | 59.6–69.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.3% | 59.6–67.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.9% | 70.6–84.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.4% | 13.4–19.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.2% | 13.6–18.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.5% | 20.2–28.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.3% | 27.0–40.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.6% | 17.7–23.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.0% | 15.9–20.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.0% | 12.3–16.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.5% | 14.4–18.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.7% | 29.0–38.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.5–8.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–10.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.3% | 13.3–17.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–4.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.7% | 20.0–27.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.1% | 13.7–18.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 10.9–15.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.2% | 11.2–15.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–9.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.3% | 28.1–38.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.3–9.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 14.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 19.1% | 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 | 1.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 25.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 44.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 11.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 36.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $78,178 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $245,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $912 | $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 | 76.7 yr ± 1.23 | 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 1.23 years of 76.7, 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