ZIP code
29401
in Charleston, South CarolinaPopulation 9,339
61.78/ 100
Ranked #3,653 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 11.4%)
Ranked #27 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (top 6.5%)
Ranked #11 of 45 Charleston-North Charleston, SC ZIPs (top 24%)
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.
Colon-cancer screening
79.4%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Recreation access
2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Binge drinking
21.6%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Pharmacy access
0.77 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies 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 ›PFOS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Short sleep
27%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Physician access
3.4 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ 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 ›Slow internet speeds
4.1%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, ZIP 29401, one of several in Charleston, South Carolina stands in the top 11.4% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,653rd) and the top 6.5% of South Carolina (27th).
A profile of give and take, with clear readings each way: modeled colon screening rests in the top 0.3% nationally, and recreation lands in the top 1.7% nationally. Pharmacy settles in the top 2.0% nationally, and modeled short sleep rests in the bottom 1.5% nationally. Physicians lands in the top 2.8% nationally. On the other side, PFOA in drinking water settles at the national maximum, modeled binge drinking rests in the top 2.3% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water lands at the national maximum. Slow internet speeds settles in the top 2.9% nationally, and modeled expected annual loss rests in the top 3.0% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, 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. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. ZIP 29412, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 Charleston-North Charleston, 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 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 94%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 69%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 88%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 4%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 94%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 95%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 87%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 94%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 68%
8%
Disability
healthier than 92%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 51%
14%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 7%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 77%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 86%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 68%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 36%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
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
29403
South Carolinashares a border
Score 55.37
Closest healthier
29412
South Carolinashares a border
Score 63.77
Similar health profile
72113
Arkansas98% similar profile
Score 57.68
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 | 24.7% | 22.5–26.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.6% | 26.9–32.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.9–10.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.9% | 7.8–10.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.7% | 5.0–6.5 |
| Depression among adults | 23.8% | 20.9–26.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.0% | 8.7–11.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.8% | 32.9–38.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 26.1% | 22.3–29.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.7% | 6.2–9.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.0% | 6.5–10.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.7% | 77.5–81.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.2% | 76.4–81.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.1–87.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 79.4% | 76.2–82.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.4% | 67.6–73.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.0% | 73.4–84.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 21.6% | 18.7–24.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.1% | 6.6–9.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.1% | 15.3–20.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 27.0% | 23.5–30.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.0% | 12.0–16.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.3% | 13.2–17.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.8% | 9.4–12.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.9% | 11.0–14.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.5% | 23.1–29.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.6% | 5.8–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.2–8.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.1% | 9.7–12.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.7–4.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 17.7% | 15.2–20.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.8% | 8.6–13.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 4.9–8.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.3–9.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.5–8.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.9% | 26.4–33.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.5–6.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 17.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.5% (6.2–28.7%) n=410 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.1% (5.9–25.5%) n=412 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (3.4–21.1%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 74.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 43.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.3% (12.8–35.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.3% (54.9–91.8%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.6%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.7% (0.0–9.0%) n=419 |
| Single-parent households | 72.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 25.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 44.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $99,667 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $1,164,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $1,790 | $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 | 79.3 yr ± 0.72 | 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 0.72 years of 79.3, 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