ZIP code
28520
in Cedar Island, North CarolinaPopulation 101
55.41/ 100
Ranked #8,965 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 28%)
Ranked #205 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 26%)
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.
Walkability
0.33 intersections/sq mi
in the bottom 0.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
67.3%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
77.4%
in the top 0.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
0.00%
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
100%
at the national maximum
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
100%
at the national maximum
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
7.1%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Lack of transportation
5.1%
in the bottom 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.6 pCi/L
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›The read
By the composite health measure, Cedar Island, North Carolina (ZIP 28520) ranks in the top 28% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,965th) and the top 26% of North Carolina (205th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: modeled colon screening rests in the top 0.9% nationally, and poverty stands at the national minimum. Homeownership lies at the national maximum, and home broadband subscription lands at the national maximum. Unemployment sits at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Households without a vehicle is at the national minimum, shared with about 16% of ZIPs. Modeled transportation settles in the bottom 8.7% nationally. On the other side, walkability resides in the bottom 0.8% nationally, floodplain exposure registers in the top 1.9% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure rests in the top 5.3% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". Close by, ZIP 28556, less than a tenth of a mile away, 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 99%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 91%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 83%
11%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 54%
21%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 38%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 14%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 69%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 98%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Disability
healthier than 85%
7%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 2%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 4%
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
28511
North Carolinashares a border
Score 45.12
Closest healthier
28556
North Carolinaless than 0.1 mi away
Score 58.23
Similar health profile
27950
North Carolina98% similar profile
Score 56.36
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 | 31.6% | 27.6–35.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.6% | 33.2–42.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.1% | 9.9–12.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.5–12.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.2–8.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.0–8.9 |
| Depression among adults | 26.2% | 22.4–30.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.9% | 9.2–12.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.0% | 34.5–43.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.5% | 26.0–41.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.0–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.4% | 6.6–10.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.9% | 5.1–9.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.1% | 77.0–83.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.8% | 78.6–85.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.8% | 89.1–92.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 77.4% | 72.9–81.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.4% | 64.7–71.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 73.8% | 65.0–81.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.1% | 12.4–18.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.9% | 10.1–16.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.4% | 15.9–25.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.1% | 26.8–39.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.7% | 12.7–19.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.9% | 13.5–18.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.7% | 10.7–14.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 10.7–15.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.7% | 24.9–34.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.3–9.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.9% | 5.8–8.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.3% | 10.9–16.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.6–3.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.2–4.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.3% | 15.8–22.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 6.5–10.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 4.7–8.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 5.9–9.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.2–6.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.8% | 24.8–35.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 3.9–5.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 0.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 18.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 0.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 25.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 100.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 100.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 52.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 18.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 58.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $80,859 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $265,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 78.0 yr ± 1.56 | 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 1.56 years of 78.0, 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