ZIP code
28460
in North Topsail Beach, North CarolinaPopulation 13,532
57.36/ 100
Ranked #6,923 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 22%)
Ranked #148 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 19%)
Ranked #3 of 11 Jacksonville, NC ZIPs (top 27%)
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.
Floodplain exposure
54%
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
4.5%
in the top 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Energy-cost burden
1.7%
in the bottom 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
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 ›Diabetes
9.2%
in the bottom 10.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
8.4 mi
in the top 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS85thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
11.0%
in the bottom 14.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS14thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
8.8%
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS17thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›The read
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina (ZIP 28460), on the composite measure, lands in the top 22% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,923rd) and the top 19% of North Carolina (148th).
What works most in this area's favor shows up clearly across the measures: lead in tap water lands at the national minimum, modeled energy burden resides in the bottom 7.2% nationally, and modeled radon lies in the bottom 2.5% nationally. Modeled diabetes settles in the bottom 10.1% nationally, and high cholesterol stands in the bottom 10.2% nationally. Working the other way, floodplain exposure is in the top 3.4% nationally, and modeled disaster risk rests in the top 7.7% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure sits in the top 8.1% nationally, and modeled pfas registers in the top 14.2% nationally. Distance to a nursing home lands in the top 15% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, outer-floodplain exposure 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. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. 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 28445, 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 Jacksonville, 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 83%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 88%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 77%
11%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 44%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 45%
8%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 5%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 19%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 90%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 63%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 69%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 65%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 6%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 90%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 60%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 90%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.00%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the bottom 0.00%
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
28445
North Carolinashares a border
Score 60.32
Closest healthier
28547
North Carolinashares a border
Score 59.74
Similar health profile
21052
Maryland97% similar profile
Score 55.65
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 | 25.0% | 22.0–28.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.1% | 28.4–36.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.3% | 7.6–9.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 9.0–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.7% | 5.0–6.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.3–7.0 |
| Depression among adults | 24.6% | 21.1–28.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.2% | 7.9–10.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.2% | 29.3–37.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.4% | 26.1–39.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.8% | 7.0–10.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.2% | 6.8–9.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.2% | 71.1–77.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.6% | 76.2–82.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.5% | 85.6–89.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.3% | 64.5–73.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.4% | 66.0–72.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.4% | 71.1–84.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.8% | 13.9–20.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.3% | 10.3–14.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.2% | 15.0–21.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.9% | 29.1–40.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.0% | 12.9–17.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.3–18.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.3% | 9.9–12.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.8% | 12.0–15.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.8% | 25.0–32.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.0% | 9.5–12.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.6% | 16.5–23.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.2–12.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.6% | 6.2–9.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.2–10.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.4–7.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.2% | 26.4–36.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.8–6.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 34.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 59.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 11.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 32.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $88,908 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $343,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,674 | $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 | 77.4 yr ± 1.64 | 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 1.64 years of 77.4, 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