ZIP code
29579
in Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaPopulation 56,915
57.79/ 100
Ranked #6,574 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 21%)
Ranked #53 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (top 12.8%)
Ranked #4 of 15 Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC ZIPs (top 27%)
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
$0
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & 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 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
88.5%
in the top 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Park land
14.0%
in the top 9.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.6 pCi/L
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & 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 ›PFOS in drinking water
88.5%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST79thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
48.5 mi
in the top 13.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS87thDefinition & 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 ›Home broadband subscription
96%
in the top 14.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS86thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
9.0%
in the bottom 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS18thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
0.8 days/year
in the bottom 32% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS32ndDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 29579, one of several in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina ranks in the top 21% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,574th) and the top 12.8% of South Carolina (53rd).
The bright spots in the data define much of the story here: park land sits in the top 9.3% nationally, and modeled radon resides in the bottom 1.4% nationally. Distance to a community health center stands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Fiber broadband sits in the top 12.8% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site resides in the top 13.1% nationally. Distance to a nursing home stands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. On the other side, modeled expected annual loss sits in the top 3.7% nationally, modeled disaster risk resides in the top 4.0% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water stands in the top 9.3% nationally. PFOS in drinking water sits in the top 9.5% 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 29582, about 0.2 miles away.
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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 64%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 84%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 78%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 69%
11%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 47%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 86%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 72%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 77%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 82%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 63%
8%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
in the top 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 64%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Disability
in the top 0.00%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 93%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 57%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 50%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
“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.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 79.4 ± 1.5 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 75.3 years — 4.1 years above them.
Ranked #328 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
29526
South Carolinashares a border
Score 50.41
Closest healthier
29582
South Carolinaabout 0.2 mi away
Score 60.08
Similar health profile
23321
Virginia97% similar profile
Score 59.47
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 | 29.2% | 26.9–31.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.3% | 34.6–40.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.9% | 9.1–10.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.2 |
| Depression among adults | 22.1% | 19.6–24.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.5% | 11.2–13.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.7% | 37.9–43.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.0% | 27.4–34.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.0% | 7.4–10.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.9% | 9.5–12.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.4% | 79.2–83.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.1% | 78.6–83.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.6% | 86.1–89.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.4% | 66.8–73.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.1% | 63.3–68.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.7% | 72.4–82.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.5% | 14.3–18.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.5% | 11.9–15.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.0% | 19.4–24.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.3% | 30.7–37.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.9% | 16.1–19.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.8% | 15.2–18.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.2% | 12.8–15.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.5% | 12.1–15.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.6% | 25.8–31.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.4–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.7% | 12.2–15.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.5% | 19.0–24.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.0–8.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.9–7.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.1% | 25.9–32.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.6–7.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 11.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.5% (6.2–28.7%) n=410 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.1% (5.9–25.5%) n=412 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (3.4–21.1%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 37.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.3% (12.8–35.0%) n=410 |
| Homeownership rate | 75.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.3% (54.9–91.8%) n=410 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.6%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 9.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.7% (0.0–9.0%) n=419 |
| Single-parent households | 54.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 20.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 42.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $79,644 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $353,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $1,617 | $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 | 79.4 yr ± 0.79 | 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 0.79 years of 79.4, 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