ZIP code
28775
in Scaly Mountain, North CarolinaPopulation 674
56.96/ 100
Ranked #7,320 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 23%)
Ranked #162 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 20%)
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
5.8%
in the bottom 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & 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 ›Recreation access
1.7 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Tree cover
83.1%
in the top 3.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
0.00%
in the bottom 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.3%
in the bottom 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›Households without a vehicle
11.8%
in the top 11.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
28.7%
in the bottom 11.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
72.4%
in the top 9.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
13.7%
in the bottom 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS15thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Scaly Mountain, North Carolina (ZIP 28775) sits in the top 23% healthiest ZIPs nationally (7,320th) and the top 20% of North Carolina (162nd).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: modeled pfas rests in the bottom 1.9% nationally, recreation sits in the top 2.3% nationally, and modeled tree cover registers in the top 3.8% nationally. Floodplain exposure lands in the bottom 6.6% nationally. Unemployment resides at the national minimum, shared with about 15% of ZIPs. Modeled arsenic lies in the bottom 9.3% nationally. Modeled extreme heat settles at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled industrial-pollution burden stands in the bottom 9.9% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise is at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Working the other way, households without a vehicle rests in the top 11.2% nationally.
In plain language, 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. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. ZIP 28741, 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 74%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 97%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 63%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 25%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 75%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 90%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 81%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 84%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 85%
8%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 94%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 54%
21%
Holding it back
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
28734
North Carolinashares a border
Score 50.55
Closest healthier
28741
North Carolinashares a border
Score 60.14
Similar health profile
95460
California99% similar profile
Score 57.94
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 | 31.8% | 27.9–35.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.6% | 35.7–45.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.3% | 10.1–12.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.7–11.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.3–9.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.2% | 6.8–9.8 |
| Depression among adults | 24.1% | 20.1–27.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.5% | 10.6–14.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.8% | 35.9–45.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.1% | 24.8–41.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.5–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.4% | 10.9–16.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.7% | 7.8–12.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.6% | 77.4–83.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.5% | 77.7–84.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.5% | 87.6–91.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.4% | 67.3–77.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.5% | 59.8–67.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.9% | 71.7–84.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.3% | 11.4–17.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.3% | 9.9–15.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.9% | 18.4–27.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 30.5% | 24.3–37.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.2% | 15.1–21.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.6% | 12.6–16.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.4% | 11.4–15.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.5% | 11.5–15.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.4% | 28.3–38.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.4–11.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.4–8.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.2% | 12.7–18.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.2–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.2–5.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.1% | 15.9–22.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 8.5–13.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.0–9.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 6.7–9.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 5.1–7.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.7% | 23.8–34.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.4–6.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 35.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 0.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 49.0% | 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 | 11.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 77.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 13.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.7% | 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 | 2.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 91.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 26.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 56.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | — | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $358,900 | $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 | 78.3 yr ± 1.71 | 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 1.71 years of 78.3, 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