ZIP code
31523
in Brunswick, GeorgiaPopulation 15,402
53.30/ 100
Ranked #11,630 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 36%)
Ranked #181 of 711 Georgia ZIPs (top 25%)
Ranked #4 of 13 Brunswick-St. Simons, GA ZIPs (top 31%)
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.
Outer-floodplain exposure
13.4%
in the top 2.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
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 ›Floodplain exposure
53.4%
in the top 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
148.9 days/year
in the top 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.5 mi
in the bottom 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST2ndUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to an emergency room
18.8 mi
in the top 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.7 pCi/L
in the bottom 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Households without a vehicle
0.32%
in the bottom 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS16thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both humid-heat days and flood exposure.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
In overall standing, ZIP 31523, one of several in Brunswick, Georgia comes out in the top 36% healthiest ZIPs nationally (11,630th) and the top 25% of Georgia (181st).
The data is generous to this ZIP in several places worth naming: modeled radon registers in the bottom 5.3% nationally, mental-health providers stands in the top 15% nationally, and households without a vehicle lands in the bottom 16% nationally. Working the other way, outer-floodplain exposure is in the top 2.9% nationally, floodplain exposure resides in the top 3.5% nationally, and modeled humid heat rests in the top 5.0% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site lies in the bottom 5.3% nationally, and distance to an emergency room sits in the top 6.3% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility settles at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. Fatal road crashes registers in the top 16% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 31527, 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 Brunswick-St. Simons, 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 62%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 62%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 61%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 48%
14%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 38%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
in the top 0.00%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 73%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 73%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 73%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 45%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 77.2 ± 1.6 years. A median household income of $88,988 predicts 79.6 years — 2.4 years below.
Ranked #3,312 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
31520
Georgiashares a border
Score 32.21
Closest healthier
31527
Georgiashares a border
Score 58.52
Similar health profile
41085
Kentucky99% similar profile
Score 53.22
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 | 27.0% | 23.9–30.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.0% | 34.9–43.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.9% | 8.0–9.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–7.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.8% | 5.9–7.7 |
| Depression among adults | 20.2% | 17.2–23.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.5% | 10.9–14.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.8% | 35.6–44.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.9% | 26.6–40.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.2–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.6% | 10.2–15.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.0% | 9.4–13.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.2% | 75.3–80.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.9% | 75.3–82.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.3% | 86.6–89.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.9% | 64.0–73.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.7% | 58.9–66.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.5% | 68.9–82.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.3% | 13.4–19.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.8% | 11.7–16.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.0% | 20.3–28.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.5% | 32.4–44.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.3% | 16.0–20.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.5% | 14.6–18.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.7% | 12.1–15.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.7% | 12.0–15.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.7% | 25.0–32.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.9% | 6.1–7.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.0–8.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 13.2% | 11.5–15.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.1–5.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.0% | 18.7–25.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 10.5–14.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.7–10.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.4–12.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.1–8.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.9% | 28.9–39.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.7–7.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | GA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.6–27.5%) n=709 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 18.3% (8.4–29.7%) n=713 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.1% (3.9–22.9%) n=720 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 31.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.3% (9.1–49.2%) n=720 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.1% (0.6–9.6%) n=714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.4% (0.3–12.3%) n=707 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.5–96.4%) n=707 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 17.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (13.6–38.3%) n=707 |
| Homeownership rate | 85.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 73.7% (48.8–89.0%) n=707 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–5.0%) n=707 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 3.8% (0.0–15.8%) n=720 |
| Single-parent households | 48.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.8% (36.1–66.7%) n=705 |
| Population 65+ | 18.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (10.0–28.3%) n=720 |
| Median age | 40.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.8 yr (33.1–51.4) n=715 |
| Median household income | $88,988 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,254 ($44,032–$106,158) n=677 |
| Median home value | $310,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,200 ($91,000–$413,150) n=666 |
| Median gross rent | $988 | $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 | 77.2 yr ± 0.80 | 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 0.80 years of 77.2, 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