ZIP code
29842
in Beech Island, South CarolinaPopulation 8,102
45.39/ 100
Ranked #22,003 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 31%)
Ranked #240 of 417 South Carolina ZIPs (bottom 42%)
Ranked #23 of 43 Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC ZIPs (bottom 47%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
69.3%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.01%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.3%
in the bottom 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST40thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Fatal road crashes
34.6 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST74thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Dry extreme heat
20 days/year
in the top 23% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS77thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year with a modeled daily high of at least 95 °F.
Full methodology ›Park land
1.4%
in the top 30% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS70thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, Beech Island, South Carolina (ZIP 29842) lands in the bottom 31% nationally (22,003rd) and the bottom 42% of South Carolina (240th).
The measures split the difference for this area: modeled arsenic registers in the bottom 8.5% nationally. Distance to a community health center sits at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Against that, distance to a Superfund site rests at the national minimum, modeled pfas is in the top 4.7% nationally, and modeled nitrate stands in the top 8.5% nationally. Fatal road crashes settles in the top 9.9% nationally, modeled humid heat lies in the top 11.0% nationally, and households without a vehicle resides in the top 12.1% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure lands in the top 14.3% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity registers in the top 14.9% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 29803, 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 Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 75%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Disability
healthier than 29%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 25%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 60%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 41%
8%
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 38%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 28%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 40%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 64%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 45%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Disability
healthier than 55%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 7%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 33%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
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
29803
South Carolinashares a border
Score 59.60
Closest healthier
29829
South Carolinashares a border
Score 48.74
Similar health profile
17017
Pennsylvania95% similar profile
Score 46.74
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 | 29.6% | 27.2–32.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.6% | 37.7–43.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.0% | 7.3–8.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.3% | 6.6–8.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.6% | 7.7–9.6 |
| Depression among adults | 23.5% | 20.8–26.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.6% | 14.0–17.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.2% | 34.2–40.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.5% | 33.3–42.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.6% | 4.3–5.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.3% | 13.5–19.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 14.3% | 12.5–16.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.5% | 79.2–83.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.1% | 78.4–83.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.4% | 84.7–88.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 67.8% | 63.6–71.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 56.7% | 53.4–59.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.1% | 71.1–82.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.1% | 12.9–17.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.6% | 14.6–18.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.6% | 27.4–34.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.9% | 35.6–43.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 24.4% | 22.0–27.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.4% | 15.7–19.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.8% | 14.2–17.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.2% | 14.6–18.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.7% | 30.6–37.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.4% | 9.4–11.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.8% | 16.0–19.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.9–5.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.4–7.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.4% | 24.2–30.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.3% | 19.5–24.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.6% | 12.4–16.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.8% | 14.7–18.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.7% | 9.4–12.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.4% | 29.8–37.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.6–12.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | SC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 15.5% (6.2–28.7%) n=410 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 12.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.1% (5.9–25.5%) n=412 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 18.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 11.6% (3.4–21.1%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 15.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 20.1% (9.1–48.9%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.6% (0.2–11.1%) n=414 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–13.6%) n=410 |
| Broadband subscription | 86.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 86.1% (71.4–95.1%) n=410 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 17.9% | 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) | 1.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.6%) n=410 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.7% (0.0–9.0%) n=419 |
| Single-parent households | 43.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (37.6–69.9%) n=404 |
| Population 65+ | 19.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.6% (10.9–31.7%) n=419 |
| Median age | 38.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.4 yr (33.8–54.1) n=415 |
| Median household income | $57,949 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $58,990 ($40,800–$90,964) n=384 |
| Median home value | $126,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $177,400 ($88,260–$384,940) n=383 |
| Median gross rent | $738 | $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 | 76.6 yr ± 1.50 | 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 1.50 years of 76.6, 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