ZIP code
29544
in Galivants Ferry, South CarolinaPopulation 8,252
49.91/ 100
Ranked #16,371 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 49%)
Ranked #152 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (top 36%)
Ranked #12 of 15 Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC ZIPs (bottom 20%)
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.
Arsenic in groundwater
1.2%
in the bottom 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST26thUS6thDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
37.7%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Radon
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST21stUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
45.1 mi
in the top 15.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS85thDefinition & 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 ›Transportation noise
0.58%
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS17thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the bottom 24% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS24thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Galivants Ferry, South Carolina (ZIP 29544) sits in the bottom 49% nationally (16,371st) and the top 36% of South Carolina (152nd).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: modeled arsenic lies in the bottom 5.8% nationally, modeled radon settles in the bottom 7.5% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site stands in the top 15.0% nationally. Modeled transportation noise is in the bottom 17% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure rests at the national minimum, shared with about 36% of ZIPs. Working the other way, floodplain exposure sits in the top 7.0% nationally, and modeled humid heat registers in the top 13.3% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lands in the top 17% nationally. Recreation resides at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs. Physicians lies at the national minimum, shared with about 38% of ZIPs.
In plain language, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. ZIP 29511, just across the boundary, 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 Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 96%
14%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 57%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 44%
13%
Disability
healthier than 48%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 38%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 78%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 95%
14%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 48%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 30%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 13%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 93%
21%
Disability
healthier than 64%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 43%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.00%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 14%
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 ›
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 73.3 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $78,401 predicts 79.1 years — 5.8 years below.
Ranked #5,719 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
29511
South Carolinashares a border
Score 51.27
Closest healthier
29526
South Carolinaless than 0.1 mi away
Score 50.41
Similar health profile
72941
Arkansas98% similar profile
Score 48.74
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 | 28.8% | 26.4–31.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.0% | 34.1–39.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.9% | 8.2–9.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.4% | 7.4–9.5 |
| Depression among adults | 23.9% | 21.3–26.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–14.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.6% | 36.8–42.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.8% | 29.0–36.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.3% | 11.9–16.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.4% | 10.5–14.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.5% | 77.0–81.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.3% | 76.5–81.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.3–86.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.6% | 61.8–69.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.2% | 59.1–65.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.0% | 69.4–79.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.6% | 15.2–20.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.1% | 14.8–19.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.2% | 21.2–27.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.9% | 32.2–39.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.4% | 18.0–22.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.0% | 17.1–21.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.7% | 14.0–17.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.0% | 14.2–17.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.2% | 28.1–34.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–8.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.0% | 8.0–10.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.8% | 13.1–16.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–5.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.0% | 20.3–26.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.9% | 13.7–18.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 7.8–11.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.9% | 10.2–13.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.9% | 6.9–9.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.7% | 27.3–34.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–8.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.5% (6.2–28.7%) n=410 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 14.2% | 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+) | 18.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.3% (12.8–35.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 81.7% | 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 | 2.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.7% (0.0–9.0%) n=419 |
| Single-parent households | 48.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 14.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 40.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $78,401 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $210,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $956 | $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 | 73.3 yr ± 0.77 | 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 0.77 years of 73.3, 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