ZIP code
28701
in Alexander, North CarolinaPopulation 5,786
51.06/ 100
Ranked #14,760 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 46%)
Ranked #348 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 44%)
Ranked #25 of 29 Asheville, NC ZIPs (bottom 13.8%)
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.
PFAS in drinking water
57.4%
in the top 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Median household income
$108,125
in the top 14.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS86thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›The read
Alexander, North Carolina (ZIP 28701), by its composite score, sits in the top 46% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,760th) and the top 44% of North Carolina (348th).
Where the data is kindest to this area, a few readings lead the way: modeled extreme heat lands at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled short sleep stands in the bottom 11.0% nationally, and arsenic registers in the bottom 14.5% nationally. Poverty settles in the bottom 18% nationally, household income sits in the top 14.3% nationally, and modeled transportation noise lies in the bottom 20% nationally. On the other hand, modeled pfas rests in the top 9.1% nationally. Recreation resides at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs. Physicians is at the national minimum, shared with about 38% of ZIPs. Modeled disaster risk lands in the top 19% nationally.
For anyone unfamiliar, 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. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 28748, 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 Asheville, NC metro area.
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 70%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 75%
11%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 48%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Disability
healthier than 37%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 48%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 68%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 32%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 14%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 18%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 25%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 11%
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
28748
North Carolinashares a border
Score 52.01
Closest healthier
28753
North Carolinashares a border
Score 53.22
Similar health profile
28610
North Carolina94% similar profile
Score 49.68
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 | 29.2% | 26.2–32.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.4% | 33.6–41.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.5–10.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.1% | 9.9–12.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.7–8.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.9% | 7.7–10.3 |
| Depression among adults | 27.0% | 23.6–30.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.8% | 10.3–13.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.1% | 32.3–40.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.3% | 27.3–40.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.6% | 12.8–18.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.3% | 8.3–12.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.7% | 73.9–79.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.9% | 74.4–81.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.6% | 84.7–88.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.2% | 60.7–69.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.2% | 57.8–64.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.1% | 68.9–82.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.4% | 12.8–18.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.4% | 13.7–19.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.4% | 19.6–27.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.3% | 25.6–35.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.1% | 17.4–23.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.5% | 15.5–19.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.7–16.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.6% | 14.6–18.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 34.6% | 30.4–39.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.8–9.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.2% | 8.1–10.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.8% | 13.7–18.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.9–6.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.4% | 18.1–25.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.4% | 11.8–17.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 10.0–15.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 9.0–12.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 6.9–9.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.3% | 26.7–36.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.2–8.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.8% | 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+) | 9.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 44.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 16.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 86.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 67.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 12.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 40.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $108,125 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $324,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,128 | $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 | 79.4 yr ± 1.12 | 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 1.12 years of 79.4, 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