ZIP code
28732
in Fletcher, North CarolinaPopulation 19,279
59.52/ 100
Ranked #5,199 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 16%)
Ranked #111 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 14.0%)
Ranked #8 of 29 Asheville, NC ZIPs (top 28%)
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
64.7%
in the top 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.16 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics located 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.1 mi
in the bottom 7.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.3%
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST19thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 11.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Obesity
29.5%
in the bottom 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS16thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Radon
2.2 pCi/L
in the top 27% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS73rdDefinition & 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
Fletcher, North Carolina (ZIP 28732), in overall standing, comes out in the top 16% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,199th) and the top 14.0% of North Carolina (111th).
A healthy showing across the board, and a few measures carry it: mental-health providers resides in the top 6.3% nationally. Modeled extreme heat sits at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled arsenic stands in the bottom 9.7% nationally. Distance to a community health center resides at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Distance to an emergency room sits in the bottom 12.8% nationally, and modeled mammography stands in the top 10.6% nationally. Distance to a nursing home resides at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. On the other hand, modeled pfas sits in the top 6.2% nationally, distance to a Superfund site stands in the bottom 7.7% nationally, and modeled expected annual loss resides in the top 11.9% nationally.
Defined simply, for reference, 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. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 28759, 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 86%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Disability
healthier than 77%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 57%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 85%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 84%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 80%
8%
Disability
healthier than 88%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 3%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 61%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 64%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 93%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 4%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 7%
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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 11.7; chronic-disease standing 73.7 — 62 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,611 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
28704
North Carolinashares a border
Score 58.12
Closest healthier
28759
North Carolinashares a border
Score 60.23
Similar health profile
64081
Missouri99% similar profile
Score 57.86
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 | 27.6% | 24.8–30.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.4% | 31.1–37.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.5% | 8.7–10.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.3–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–6.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.7–7.3 |
| Depression among adults | 24.4% | 21.4–27.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.4% | 32.9–40.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 29.5% | 24.4–35.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.7% | 8.1–11.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.0% | 6.9–9.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.8% | 75.1–80.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.1% | 77.2–82.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.6% | 88.3–90.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.8% | 66.8–74.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.6% | 66.6–72.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.1% | 74.6–84.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.3% | 13.0–17.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.7% | 10.0–13.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.4% | 16.5–22.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.8% | 27.0–36.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.6% | 13.7–17.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.5–16.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.7% | 10.5–13.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.3–14.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.4% | 25.1–31.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.3% | 10.8–14.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.5% | 16.9–22.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 8.3–11.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.0–8.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 7.1–9.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.2% | 25.3–33.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–6.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 41.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 23.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 83.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 62.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 20.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 42.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $81,852 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $376,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $1,366 | $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 | 80.4 yr ± 0.93 | 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 0.93 years of 80.4, 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