ZIP code
29210
in Columbia, South CarolinaPopulation 39,962
41.50/ 100
Ranked #25,657 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 20%)
Ranked #316 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (bottom 24%)
Ranked #43 of 47 Columbia, SC ZIPs (bottom 8.6%)
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
816 units
in the top 2.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
44.7%
in the top 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
19%
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
36.3%
in the bottom 4.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST4thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
24.4%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
16.3%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
30.5%
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
6.7%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
9.0%
in the top 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
43.4%
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, ZIP 29210, one of several in Columbia, South Carolina ranks in the bottom 20% nationally (25,657th) and the bottom 24% of South Carolina (316th).
The signals balance out across the profile, strengths against concerns: subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 2.1% nationally. Set against that, modeled short sleep sits in the top 3.5% nationally, and utility shutoff is in the top 3.1% nationally. Homeownership settles in the bottom 4.4% nationally, modeled housing insecurity resides in the top 4.5% nationally, and modeled transportation registers in the top 4.7% nationally. Modeled food insecurity rests in the top 5.8% nationally, self-care disability stands in the top 7.4% nationally, and vision disability lies in the top 7.6% nationally. Housing-cost burden lands in the top 6.6% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. Close by, ZIP 29169, 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. 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 76%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 49%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 12%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 25%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Disability
healthier than 15%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 19%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 69%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 24%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 76%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 52%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 17%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Disability
healthier than 15%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 26%
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 74.9 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $50,871 predicts 77.4 years — 2.5 years below.
Ranked #3,457 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 74.9 ± 1.2 years. The 44 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 77.4 years — 2.5 years below them.
Ranked #1,941 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
29169
South Carolinashares a border
Score 52.67
Closest healthier
29201
South Carolinashares a border
Score 43.35
Similar health profile
72209
Arkansas96% similar profile
Score 31.18
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 | 26.6% | 24.7–28.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.0% | 38.5–43.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.8% | 5.4–6.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.6% | 9.6–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.6% | 6.0–7.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.8–9.3 |
| Depression among adults | 23.6% | 21.4–26.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.7% | 14.3–17.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.5% | 32.3–36.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.5% | 38.0–45.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 4.1–4.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.9% | 13.9–18.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 16.4% | 14.6–18.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.9% | 72.8–77.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.4% | 78.2–82.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.3% | 80.5–83.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.9% | 63.7–69.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 52.8% | 50.0–55.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.4% | 71.9–80.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.8% | 13.0–16.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 18.1% | 16.3–19.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 29.8% | 27.1–32.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 44.7% | 41.2–48.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.8% | 24.7–28.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.5% | 17.9–21.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.7% | 14.4–17.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.7% | 17.0–20.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.2% | 33.4–38.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.7–6.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.5% | 11.4–13.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 18.0% | 16.4–19.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.2–7.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 9.0% | 8.3–9.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.9% | 25.2–30.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 30.5% | 28.0–32.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 25.5% | 23.3–27.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 24.4% | 22.2–26.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 16.3% | 14.9–17.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.6% | 32.5–38.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 19.0% | 17.3–20.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 20.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.5% (6.2–28.7%) n=410 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.1% (5.9–25.5%) n=412 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (3.4–21.1%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 29.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 43.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.3% (12.8–35.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 36.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.3% (54.9–91.8%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.6%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.7% (0.0–9.0%) n=419 |
| Single-parent households | 42.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 12.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 34.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $50,871 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $194,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $1,117 | $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 | 74.9 yr ± 0.60 | 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 0.60 years of 74.9, 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