ZIP code
30518
in Buford, GeorgiaPopulation 57,912
57.80/ 100
Ranked #6,571 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #103 of 711 Georgia ZIPs (top 14.5%)
Ranked #71 of 206 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ZIPs (top 34%)
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.
Air-toxics cancer risk
38.8 per million
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 8.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Recreation access
0.85 per 1,000 residents
in the top 12.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
98.6 days/year
in the top 24% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS76thDefinition & 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 ›The read
By the composite health measure, ZIP 30518, one of several in Buford, Georgia ranks in the top 20% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,571st) and the top 14.5% of Georgia (103rd).
The measures that set this area apart are worth putting up front: distance to a community health center stands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled hearing disability lies in the bottom 11.0% nationally, and recreation lands in the top 12.2% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease sits in the bottom 10.9% nationally. Distance to a nursing home is at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Park land settles in the top 14.8% nationally. Set against that, modeled air-toxics cancer risk resides in the top 7.5% nationally, industrial-pollution burden registers in the top 8.1% nationally, and loneliness rests in the top 12.0% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss stands in the top 13.8% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, industrial-pollution burden runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Close by, ZIP 30024, 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 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 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 86%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 74%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 86%
8%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 28%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 72%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 87%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 30%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 33%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 70%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 72%
8%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 49%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 47%
14%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 19%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 2%
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
3 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 78.7 ± 0.8 years. A median household income of $96,936 predicts 80.0 years — 1.2 years below.
Ranked #1,557 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 27.9; chronic-disease standing 85.7 — 58 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,202 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 38.8 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 78.7 ± 0.8 years.
Ranked #1,644 of the 4,173 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by modeled air-toxics risk, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
30024
Georgiashares a border
Score 69.07
Closest healthier
30041
Georgiashares a border
Score 68.26
Similar health profile
94579
California98% similar profile
Score 60.20
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 | 21.0% | 18.8–23.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.6% | 28.7–34.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.6% | 6.1–7.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.2% | 8.3–10.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.9 |
| Depression among adults | 17.7% | 15.3–20.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.2% | 10.0–12.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.4% | 33.2–39.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.3% | 28.8–38.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.1% | 9.4–13.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 14.3% | 12.7–15.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.3% | 72.4–78.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.0% | 72.8–79.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.1% | 85.5–88.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.1% | 57.9–66.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.4% | 59.5–65.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.0% | 65.6–77.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.6% | 12.3–17.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.0% | 10.6–13.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.1% | 22.2–28.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.2% | 31.3–39.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.0% | 16.2–19.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.7% | 14.2–17.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.2% | 11.0–13.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.0% | 11.8–14.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.8% | 23.1–28.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.7–8.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.3–12.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.2–3.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.4–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.0% | 21.0–27.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.8% | 13.0–16.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 9.1–11.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.0% | 11.5–14.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.9% | 7.0–8.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.1% | 33.0–41.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–8.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | GA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.6–27.5%) n=709 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 17.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 18.3% (8.4–29.7%) n=713 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.1% (3.9–22.9%) n=720 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 40.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.3% (9.1–49.2%) n=720 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.1% (0.6–9.6%) n=714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.4% (0.3–12.3%) n=707 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.5–96.4%) n=707 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (13.6–38.3%) n=707 |
| Homeownership rate | 75.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 73.7% (48.8–89.0%) n=707 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–5.0%) n=707 |
| Foreign-born population | 22.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 3.8% (0.0–15.8%) n=720 |
| Single-parent households | 42.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.8% (36.1–66.7%) n=705 |
| Population 65+ | 11.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (10.0–28.3%) n=720 |
| Median age | 36.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.8 yr (33.1–51.4) n=715 |
| Median household income | $96,936 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,254 ($44,032–$106,158) n=677 |
| Median home value | $411,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,200 ($91,000–$413,150) n=666 |
| Median gross rent | $1,735 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $993 ($694–$1,769) n=627 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | GA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 78.7 yr ± 0.43 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 76.1 yr (73.3–79.7) n=668 |
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 0.43 years of 78.7, 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