ZIP code
29229
in Columbia, South CarolinaPopulation 51,861
59.28/ 100
Ranked #5,379 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #43 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (top 10.4%)
Ranked #6 of 47 Columbia, SC ZIPs (top 12.8%)
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.
Hearing disability
4.3%
in the bottom 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.2 mi
in the bottom 4.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Coronary heart disease
4.6%
in the bottom 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
90%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
42.1%
in the top 8.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Mammography
81.2%
in the top 6.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
90%
in the top 8.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Fatal road crashes
3.1 per 100,000 residents per year
in the bottom 10.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.7 pCi/L
in the bottom 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
72.6%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 29229, one of several in Columbia, South Carolina, on the composite measure, lands in the top 17% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,379th) and the top 10.4% of South Carolina (43rd).
What works most in this area's favor shows up clearly across the measures: modeled hearing disability lies in the bottom 2.8% nationally, coronary heart disease settles in the bottom 6.3% nationally, and mammography stands in the top 6.1% nationally. Fatal road crashes is in the bottom 10.9% nationally, and modeled radon rests in the bottom 3.7% nationally. Working the other way, distance to a Superfund site sits in the bottom 4.4% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water registers in the top 8.6% nationally. Modeled short sleep lands in the top 8.9% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water resides in the top 8.9% nationally. Lead in tap water lies in the top 10.4% nationally.
In everyday language, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. 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. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 29016, 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 Columbia, SC 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 81%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 51%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 34%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 89%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 88%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 76%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 87%
8%
Disability
healthier than 92%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 61%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 83%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 74%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 91%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
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 ›
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 26.6; chronic-disease standing 80.8 — 54 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #14,825 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
29016
South Carolinashares a border
Score 59.80
Closest healthier
29206
South Carolinaabout 4.2 mi away
Score 63.18
Similar health profile
52247
Iowa98% similar profile
Score 55.46
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 | 25.1% | 22.9–27.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.8% | 33.9–39.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.9–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.4 |
| Depression among adults | 20.6% | 18.2–23.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.7% | 11.3–14.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.3% | 31.4–37.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.5% | 31.4–39.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.0% | 7.4–10.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.6% | 8.3–11.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.0% | 74.4–79.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.3% | 79.9–84.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.1% | 87.7–90.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.6% | 68.9–75.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.1% | 65.2–70.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.2% | 76.1–85.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.7% | 13.4–18.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.2% | 8.9–11.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.9% | 17.4–22.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 42.1% | 38.0–46.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.3% | 15.4–19.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.2% | 13.6–16.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.7% | 10.5–13.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.4% | 11.1–13.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.4% | 23.7–29.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.6% | 11.2–14.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.6% | 22.7–28.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.2% | 14.2–18.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.3% | 8.9–11.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.6% | 13.7–17.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.8–9.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.7% | 30.1–37.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 9.2–11.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.5% (6.2–28.7%) n=410 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.1% (5.9–25.5%) n=412 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (3.4–21.1%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 43.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 33.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.3% (12.8–35.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 70.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.3% (54.9–91.8%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.0% | 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 | 37.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 10.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 35.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $74,043 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $247,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $1,640 | $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 | 78.2 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 78.2, 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