ZIP code
29439
in Folly Beach, South CarolinaPopulation 1,125
66.04/ 100
Ranked #1,603 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 5.0%)
Ranked #8 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (top 2.0%)
Ranked #6 of 45 Charleston-North Charleston, SC ZIPs (top 13.4%)
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.
Loneliness
24.6%
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
81.6%
in the top 0.08% 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 ›Floodplain exposure
95.4%
in the top 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
3.6%
in the bottom 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
24.4%
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
5.0%
in the bottom 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
3.4%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
6.1%
in the bottom 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
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 ›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 ›The read
By the composite measure, Folly Beach, South Carolina (ZIP 29439) sits in the top 5.0% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,603rd) and the top 2.0% of South Carolina (8th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: modeled loneliness registers in the bottom 0.3% nationally, colon screening lands in the top 0.08% nationally, and transportation resides in the bottom 0.6% nationally. Modeled short sleep lies in the bottom 0.3% nationally, housing insecurity settles in the bottom 0.7% nationally, and utility shutoff stands in the bottom 1.3% nationally. Modeled food insecurity is in the bottom 1.6% nationally. Working the other way, floodplain exposure rests in the top 0.5% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water sits at the national maximum. PFOS in drinking water registers at the national maximum.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, 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. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". ZIP 29482, about 4.6 miles away, 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 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 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 95%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 94%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.3%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 95%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 81%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 97%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 93%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 98%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 97%
8%
Disability
healthier than 96%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 5%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 29%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 89%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 89%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 98%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 93%
8%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 11%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 25%
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
29412
South Carolinashares a border
Score 63.77
Closest healthier
29482
South Carolinaabout 4.6 mi away
Score 71.95
Similar health profile
31522
Georgia99% similar profile
Score 63.61
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 | 32.2% | 29.2–35.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.0% | 32.7–39.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 13.6% | 12.3–14.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.1% | 7.1–9.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.9% | 6.0–7.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.2% | 4.9–7.6 |
| Depression among adults | 20.1% | 17.6–23.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.8% | 10.1–13.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 43.8% | 40.3–47.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 26.6% | 22.7–30.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 2.9–3.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 5.9% | 4.7–7.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.6% | 4.1–7.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 84.5% | 81.9–86.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 83.5% | 81.0–85.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 93.2% | 91.9–94.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 81.6% | 78.6–84.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 78.6% | 76.2–80.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.1% | 76.9–86.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.2% | 16.6–21.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.5% | 6.4–10.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 17.2% | 13.9–20.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 24.4% | 21.1–27.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.8% | 10.5–15.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 11.1% | 9.6–12.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.3% | 9.6–13.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.4–10.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 23.9% | 20.4–27.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.5–8.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.4–6.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.1% | 9.9–14.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.8% | 2.3–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.3% | 2.8–3.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 16.5% | 13.9–19.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 4.4–7.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 3.1% | 2.1–4.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 5.0% | 3.8–6.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 3.6% | 2.9–4.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 24.6% | 21.3–28.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 3.4% | 2.7–4.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 1.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.5% (6.2–28.7%) n=410 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 0.0% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.1% (5.9–25.5%) n=412 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (3.4–21.1%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 66.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.3% (12.8–35.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 93.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.3% (54.9–91.8%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.6%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.7% (0.0–9.0%) n=419 |
| Single-parent households | 86.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 34.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 59.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $137,396 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $1,043,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $1,844 | $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 | 81.0 yr ± 3.22 | 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 3.22 years of 81.0, 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