ZIP code
29445
in Goose Creek, South CarolinaPopulation 59,227
54.50/ 100
Ranked #10,062 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 31%)
Ranked #81 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (top 19%)
Ranked #22 of 45 Charleston-North Charleston, SC ZIPs (top 49%)
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.
Expected annual disaster loss
$1
in the top 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
4.9%
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
99.1%
in the top 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS96thDefinition & 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
99.1%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
416 units
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
6.5%
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
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 ›Humid extreme heat
134.5 days/year
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
31.9%
in the top 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Coronary heart disease
4.9%
in the bottom 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both humid-heat days and flood exposure.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
Goose Creek, South Carolina (ZIP 29445) ranks in the top 31% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,062nd) and the top 19% of South Carolina (81st).
Several signals sit on each side of the ledger here: subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 5.6% nationally, and modeled coronary heart disease settles in the bottom 8.7% nationally. Working the other way, modeled expected annual loss rests in the top 0.6% nationally, and disaster risk lands in the top 1.8% nationally. Slow internet speeds settles in the top 2.5% nationally, PFOA in drinking water rests in the top 4.1% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water lands in the top 4.5% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure settles in the top 5.8% nationally, modeled humid heat rests in the top 8.7% nationally, and floodplain exposure lands in the top 9.2% nationally.
Against its neighbors, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For context, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. The closest ZIP that ranks healthier overall is ZIP 29456, 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 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 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 69%
16%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 51%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 12%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 91%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 79%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Disability
healthier than 87%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 35%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 16%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 70%
21%
Disability
healthier than 64%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 61%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 57%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 48%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 7%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
“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 77.0 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $81,594 predicts 79.3 years — 2.3 years below.
Ranked #3,121 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 19.9; chronic-disease standing 82.3 — 62 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,641 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
29406
South Carolinashares a border
Score 44.16
Closest healthier
29456
South Carolinashares a border
Score 55.10
Similar health profile
63088
Missouri97% similar profile
Score 55.75
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 | 22.9% | 20.5–25.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.4% | 30.2–36.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.4–10.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.2 |
| Depression among adults | 22.3% | 19.4–25.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.7% | 10.3–13.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.8% | 31.4–38.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.5% | 31.5–41.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.7% | 9.7–14.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.5% | 11.0–14.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.8% | 73.2–78.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.1% | 74.9–81.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.5% | 82.6–86.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.8% | 65.8–73.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.9% | 58.7–65.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.8% | 71.8–83.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.0% | 14.3–20.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.4% | 10.7–14.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.9% | 21.5–28.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.8% | 33.3–42.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.6% | 15.6–19.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.3% | 15.3–19.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–14.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.7% | 13.2–16.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.6% | 27.1–34.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.6% | 11.1–14.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.4% | 22.1–28.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.0% | 14.9–19.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 7.1–9.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 11.7–15.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.4–9.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.2% | 29.0–37.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.5% (6.2–28.7%) n=410 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 13.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.1% (5.9–25.5%) n=412 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 9.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (3.4–21.1%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 26.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 25.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.3% (12.8–35.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 72.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.3% (54.9–91.8%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.6%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 9.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.7% (0.0–9.0%) n=419 |
| Single-parent households | 50.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 14.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 36.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $81,594 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $281,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $1,542 | $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 | 77.0 yr ± 0.57 | 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 0.57 years of 77.0, 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