ZIP code
28539
in Hubert, North CarolinaPopulation 18,351
52.52/ 100
Ranked #12,730 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 40%)
Ranked #288 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 36%)
Ranked #4 of 11 Jacksonville, NC ZIPs (top 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 8.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
32%
in the bottom 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.6 pCi/L
in the bottom 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
2.9%
in the top 11.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS89thDefinition & 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 14.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS15thDefinition & 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 ›High blood pressure
32.1%
in the bottom 19% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS19thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›The read
In its overall standing, Hubert, North Carolina (ZIP 28539) lands in the top 40% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,730th) and the top 36% of North Carolina (288th).
This area's strengths are easy to pick out across the measures: lead in tap water rests at the national minimum, modeled high cholesterol registers in the bottom 6.6% nationally, and modeled radon resides in the bottom 1.6% nationally. Modeled industrial-pollution burden settles in the bottom 14.8% nationally. Working the other way, modeled disaster risk is in the top 8.9% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure sits in the top 11.3% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site lands in the bottom 11.6% nationally, and modeled pfas lies in the top 14.3% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss stands in the top 14.5% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility rests at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs.
Put simply, 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. On the overall standing, ZIP 28547, just across the boundary, ranks healthier.
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 79%
21%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 55%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 41%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 52%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 35%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 87%
21%
Disability
healthier than 76%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 13%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 20%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 60%
11%
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 50%
14%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 10%
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
28544
North Carolinashares a border
Score 49.91
Closest healthier
28547
North Carolinashares a border
Score 59.74
Similar health profile
28403
North Carolina97% 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 | 24.3% | 21.5–27.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.1% | 28.4–36.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.0% | 6.4–7.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.6–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.6 |
| Depression among adults | 26.0% | 22.4–30.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.7% | 8.4–11.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.0% | 28.1–36.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.5% | 28.0–41.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.8–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.7% | 11.0–16.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.2% | 8.6–12.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.4% | 69.1–75.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.5% | 74.9–81.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.0% | 82.9–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.8% | 60.6–70.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.3% | 57.7–65.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.7% | 70.4–84.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.6% | 13.7–19.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.9% | 12.9–17.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.1% | 17.7–25.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.2% | 32.1–44.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.7% | 15.5–20.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.8% | 16.7–21.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.6% | 11.1–14.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.7% | 14.9–18.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.1% | 28.1–36.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.2% | 10.7–14.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.3–5.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.1% | 18.7–26.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.0% | 11.9–16.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.1% | 9.4–13.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.6% | 9.9–13.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 7.3–9.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.0% | 28.8–39.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.6% | 6.5–8.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 31.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 76.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 56.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 13.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 33.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $66,976 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $230,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,195 | $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 | 77.2 yr ± 1.07 | 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 1.07 years of 77.2, 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