ZIP code
29223
in Columbia, South CarolinaPopulation 53,074
51.48/ 100
Ranked #14,146 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 44%)
Ranked #122 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (top 29%)
Ranked #16 of 47 Columbia, SC ZIPs (top 34%)
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
518 units
in the top 4.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
42.6%
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
93.1%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›PFOS in drinking water
93.1%
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.4 mi
in the bottom 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST12thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
73.2%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
0.84 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental offices 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 ›Radon
0.7 pCi/L
in the bottom 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Loud transportation noise
1.5%
in the top 11.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
38.2%
in the top 12.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, ZIP 29223, one of several in Columbia, South Carolina lands in the top 44% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,146th) and the top 29% of South Carolina (122nd).
The measures that set this area apart are worth putting up front: subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 4.3% nationally, and modeled colon screening lies in the top 6.8% nationally. Dental providers lands in the top 9.9% nationally. Distance to a community health center sits at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Set against that, modeled short sleep is in the top 7.5% nationally, PFOA in drinking water settles in the top 7.4% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water resides in the top 7.5% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site registers in the bottom 8.5% nationally, modeled expected annual loss rests in the top 10.1% nationally, and modeled industrial-pollution burden stands in the top 10.6% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. PFOS in drinking water is a common one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 29206, just across the boundary, ranks better 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
Preventive Care
healthier than 77%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 70%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 52%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Disability
healthier than 40%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 77%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 80%
8%
Disability
healthier than 64%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 44%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 54%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 43%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 52%
11%
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
“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
29203
South Carolinashares a border
Score 39.04
Closest healthier
29206
South Carolinashares a border
Score 63.18
Similar health profile
30034
Georgia92% similar profile
Score 53.20
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 | 29.0% | 26.6–31.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.0% | 38.1–44.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.1% | 6.5–7.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.1% | 9.0–11.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.2–7.5 |
| Depression among adults | 21.0% | 18.5–23.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.8% | 14.1–17.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.2% | 34.3–40.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.8% | 32.7–41.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.3% | 4.0–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.3% | 11.9–16.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.1% | 11.5–14.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.3% | 77.0–81.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.5% | 80.1–84.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.8% | 86.3–89.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 73.2% | 69.5–76.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.5% | 58.4–64.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.0% | 73.6–83.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.1% | 12.1–16.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.3% | 10.8–14.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.1% | 22.2–28.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 42.6% | 38.5–46.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.2% | 20.1–24.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.0% | 14.5–17.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.1% | 12.7–15.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.5% | 13.1–16.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.5% | 29.5–35.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.5–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.5% | 8.6–10.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.0% | 15.3–18.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.7–5.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.3–7.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.5% | 23.5–29.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 21.3% | 18.9–23.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.9% | 13.1–16.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.2% | 16.1–20.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.8–12.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.4% | 30.8–38.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 11.0–13.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.5% (6.2–28.7%) n=410 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 13.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.1% (5.9–25.5%) n=412 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (3.4–21.1%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 34.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 38.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.3% (12.8–35.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 57.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.3% (54.9–91.8%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.6%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 9.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.7% (0.0–9.0%) n=419 |
| Single-parent households | 43.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 16.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 37.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $62,408 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $202,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $1,277 | $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 | 77.7 yr ± 0.67 | 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 0.67 years of 77.7, 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