ZIP code
29203
in Columbia, South CarolinaPopulation 40,653
39.04/ 100
Ranked #27,367 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 14.7%)
Ranked #352 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (bottom 16%)
Ranked #46 of 47 Columbia, SC ZIPs (bottom 2.2%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
1,725 units
in the top 0.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
47.5%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
8.0%
in the top 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
20.8%
in the top 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
10.4%
in the top 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Stroke
6.1%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Transit access
7.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops 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 ›Utility shut-off threat
19.4%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
25.5%
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
99.3%
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
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 ›The read
In its overall standing, ZIP 29203, one of several in Columbia, South Carolina lands in the bottom 14.7% nationally (27,367th) and the bottom 16% of South Carolina (352nd).
This area's pressures are easy to read across the measures: modeled short sleep resides in the top 1.1% nationally, self-care disability settles in the top 2.8% nationally, and diabetes is in the top 2.7% nationally. Modeled vision disability sits in the top 4.1% nationally, stroke lands in the top 3.6% nationally, and utility shutoff lies in the top 2.9% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity stands in the top 3.7% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water rests in the top 4.0% nationally. On the brighter side, subsidized affordable housing registers in the top 0.5% nationally, and transit resides in the top 2.6% nationally.
Against the wider neighborhood, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put simply, PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. On the overall standing, ZIP 29016, 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 Columbia, SC metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 58%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 49%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 15%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Disability
healthier than 7%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 27%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Disability
healthier than 10%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 43%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 43%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 15%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 2%
11%
Disability
healthier than 2%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
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
2 of our published findings list 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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 74.2 ± 0.9 years. A median household income of $46,054 predicts 77.0 years — 2.9 years below.
Ranked #3,929 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 74.2 ± 0.9 years. The 44 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 77.2 years — 3.0 years below them.
Ranked #2,370 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
29016
South Carolinashares a border
Score 59.80
Closest healthier
29201
South Carolinashares a border
Score 43.35
Similar health profile
36613
Alabama98% similar profile
Score 37.91
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 | 31.9% | 29.3–34.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 48.0% | 44.9–51.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 10.0–12.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.1% | 7.4–8.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.4 |
| Depression among adults | 21.1% | 18.6–23.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 20.8% | 18.8–22.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.6% | 34.7–40.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.0% | 38.6–47.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 23.1% | 19.8–26.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.5% | 13.6–17.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.8% | 78.8–82.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 83.4% | 81.2–85.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.8% | 84.3–87.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.0% | 67.1–74.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 52.2% | 49.1–55.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.2% | 72.7–82.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.4% | 10.6–14.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.8% | 14.9–18.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.0% | 28.5–35.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 47.5% | 43.2–51.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 29.7% | 27.1–32.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.3% | 16.4–20.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.9% | 15.2–18.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.9% | 16.2–19.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.3% | 35.8–42.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.8–7.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 13.4% | 12.2–14.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 23.0% | 20.9–25.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 8.0% | 7.4–8.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 10.4% | 9.6–11.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 30.2% | 26.8–33.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 32.4% | 29.3–35.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 27.1% | 24.5–29.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 25.5% | 22.8–28.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 16.5% | 14.9–18.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.9% | 33.0–40.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 19.4% | 17.4–21.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 26.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.5% (6.2–28.7%) n=410 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 17.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.1% (5.9–25.5%) n=412 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 14.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (3.4–21.1%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 11.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 14.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 82.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 37.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.3% (12.8–35.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 48.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.3% (54.9–91.8%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.6%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.7% (0.0–9.0%) n=419 |
| Single-parent households | 33.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 15.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 34.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $46,054 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $141,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $1,110 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $950 ($678–$1,545) n=343 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 74.2 yr ± 0.48 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 76.3 yr (73.2–79.9) n=389 |
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 0.48 years of 74.2, 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