ZIP code
28571
in Oriental, North CarolinaPopulation 2,678
56.72/ 100
Ranked #7,531 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 23%)
Ranked #174 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 22%)
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.
Binge drinking
10.0%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Loneliness
26.6%
in the bottom 2.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
77%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Recreation access
1.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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 ›High blood pressure
50.2%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
11.9%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›High cholesterol
46.3%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
9.4 ppb
in the top 3.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
US96thDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
6.4%
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Oriental, North Carolina (ZIP 28571) sits in the top 23% healthiest ZIPs nationally (7,531st) and the top 22% of North Carolina (174th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: modeled binge drinking rests in the bottom 1.3% nationally, modeled loneliness sits in the bottom 2.1% nationally, and grocery registers in the top 2.4% nationally. Modeled colon screening lands in the top 1.1% nationally, recreation resides in the top 2.9% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity lies in the bottom 4.0% nationally. Working the other way, modeled high blood pressure settles in the top 3.3% nationally, and outer-floodplain exposure stands in the top 3.3% nationally. Modeled high cholesterol is in the top 2.3% nationally, and lead in tap water rests in the top 3.8% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain 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. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". ZIP 28556, 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 94%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 98%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 9%
21%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 21%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 84%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 98%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 99%
8%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 54%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 17%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 30%
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 94.0 (top 10%); chronic-disease standing 8.8 (bottom 10%) — 85 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #270 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
28510
North Carolinashares a border
Score 53.02
Closest healthier
28556
North Carolinashares a border
Score 58.23
Similar health profile
21654
Maryland99% similar profile
Score 55.28
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 | 41.5% | 37.0–46.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 50.2% | 45.3–55.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 15.0% | 13.5–16.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 10.9% | 9.6–12.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.7% | 8.2–11.2 |
| Depression among adults | 21.5% | 18.2–25.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.0% | 13.8–18.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 46.3% | 41.1–51.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.4% | 25.6–42.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–5.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.6% | 10.2–15.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.6–8.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 86.4% | 83.7–88.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 87.1% | 84.5–89.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 94.2% | 93.2–95.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 77.0% | 72.6–81.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.4% | 67.1–73.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.1% | 74.6–86.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 10.0% | 8.0–12.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.1% | 9.2–13.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.9% | 19.6–28.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.0% | 22.2–34.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.2% | 16.4–22.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 12.0% | 10.4–13.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.3% | 12.4–16.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.1% | 9.7–12.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.5% | 30.7–40.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.3–13.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–8.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.9% | 16.2–21.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–6.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 17.7% | 14.8–20.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.4–10.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 5.9–8.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.4–7.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.3–5.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 26.6% | 22.0–31.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.6% | 3.9–5.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 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+) | 5.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 43.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 31.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 90.1% | 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 | 5.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 79.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 48.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 64.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $63,393 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $372,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,114 | $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 | 81.7 yr ± 1.20 | 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 1.20 years of 81.7, 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