ZIP code
29483
in Summerville, South CarolinaPopulation 59,186
55.41/ 100
Ranked #8,975 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 28%)
Ranked #70 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #18 of 45 Charleston-North Charleston, SC ZIPs (top 40%)
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 0.3% 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 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
543 units
in the top 4.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.1%
in the bottom 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS5thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
133.5 days/year
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Radon
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST24thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Lithium in drinking water
11 µg/L
in the bottom 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS15thDefinition & source ›
The average detected level of lithium — a natural trace metal with no federal drinking-water limit yet — across the public water systems serving this ZIP, in micrograms per liter.
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
ZIP 29483, one of several in Summerville, South Carolina, overall, ranks in the top 28% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,975th) and the top 17% of South Carolina (70th).
Taken together, the data gives a genuinely mixed reading: subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 4.1% nationally, and modeled arsenic lies in the bottom 4.7% nationally. Distance to a community health center stands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled radon rests in the bottom 8.5% nationally. Distance to a nursing home registers at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. On the other side, modeled expected annual loss resides in the top 0.3% nationally, and disaster risk settles in the top 0.6% nationally. Modeled humid heat is in the top 9.0% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water sits in the top 12.2% nationally. PFOS in drinking water lands in the top 12.7% nationally.
Measured against the nearby ZIPs, expected annual loss runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, 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. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. ZIP 29485, just across the boundary, comes out 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 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 72%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 70%
14%
Disability
healthier than 66%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 52%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 21%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 84%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 62%
8%
Disability
healthier than 83%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 52%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 55%
13%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 52%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
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
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 77.9 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $85,750 predicts 79.5 years — 1.6 years below.
Ranked #1,984 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
29456
South Carolinashares a border
Score 55.10
Closest healthier
29485
South Carolinashares a border
Score 56.17
Similar health profile
23518
Virginia97% similar profile
Score 54.89
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 | 25.4% | 22.9–28.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.0% | 31.9–38.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.1% | 7.4–8.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 8.7–10.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.9% | 5.4–6.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.4 |
| Depression among adults | 22.6% | 19.8–25.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–14.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.9% | 32.6–39.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 35.3% | 30.3–40.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.2–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.3% | 10.3–14.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.0% | 9.7–12.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.8% | 76.3–81.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.2% | 77.3–82.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.0% | 85.5–88.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.6% | 63.6–71.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.0% | 63.1–68.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.6% | 68.5–80.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.9% | 14.4–19.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.4% | 11.8–15.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.4% | 21.3–27.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.0% | 32.6–41.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.3% | 16.4–20.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.5% | 14.9–18.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.4% | 12.1–14.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.8% | 12.4–15.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.6% | 25.5–31.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–6.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.4–9.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.5% | 12.1–15.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.5–5.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.8% | 20.0–25.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.3% | 13.6–17.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.8–10.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 11.0–13.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–8.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.4% | 27.8–35.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 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+) | 7.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (3.4–21.1%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 28.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.3% (12.8–35.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.3% (54.9–91.8%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.6%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 5.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.7% (0.0–9.0%) n=419 |
| Single-parent households | 48.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 15.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 37.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $85,750 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $333,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $1,378 | $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 | 77.9 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 77.9, 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