ZIP code
31525
in Brunswick, GeorgiaPopulation 28,926
49.43/ 100
Ranked #17,027 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 47%)
Ranked #289 of 711 Georgia ZIPs (top 41%)
Ranked #5 of 13 Brunswick-St. Simons, GA ZIPs (top 38%)
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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
11.6%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to an emergency room
18.5 mi
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
142.7 days/year
in the top 6.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
296 units
in the top 8.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
28.1%
in the top 11.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS89thDefinition & 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
0.7 pCi/L
in the bottom 5.5% 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
51.2%
in the top 12.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS87thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Overall, ZIP 31525, one of several in Brunswick, Georgia places in the bottom 47% nationally (17,027th) and the top 41% of Georgia (289th).
The measures land in both directions, and neither dominates: subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 8.3% nationally, and lithium in drinking water registers in the bottom 10.5% nationally. Distance to a community health center settles at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled radon sits in the bottom 5.5% nationally. Pulling the other way, distance to a Superfund site lies at the national minimum, outer-floodplain exposure rests in the top 3.3% nationally, and distance to an emergency room resides in the top 6.6% nationally. Modeled humid heat is in the top 6.7% nationally, floodplain exposure lands in the top 11.1% nationally, and modeled pfas stands in the top 12.7% nationally.
Beside the areas that surround it, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Lithium in drinking water is a natural metal that dissolves into some groundwater and has no federal drinking-water limit yet. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 31523, 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
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 65%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 61%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 49%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 45%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 48%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 60%
8%
Disability
healthier than 41%
7%
Holding it back
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 15%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 70%
13%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 60%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 51%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 57%
8%
Disability
healthier than 59%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 11%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 64%
16%
Disability
healthier than 64%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the top 0.00%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 55%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 55%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
31305
Georgiashares a border
Score 34.68
Closest healthier
31523
Georgiashares a border
Score 53.30
Similar health profile
42371
Kentucky98% similar profile
Score 44.88
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 | 27.2% | 24.3–30.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.4% | 37.4–45.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.0% | 7.3–8.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.8% | 6.1–7.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.5 |
| Depression among adults | 20.2% | 17.1–23.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.5% | 12.7–16.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.1% | 35.0–43.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.0% | 29.5–43.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 14.0% | 11.4–16.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.2% | 11.6–15.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.2% | 75.5–80.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.1% | 75.6–82.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.6% | 85.0–88.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.0% | 63.0–72.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 58.8% | 55.1–62.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.6% | 68.9–82.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.1% | 12.4–18.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.5% | 13.5–17.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.1% | 24.0–32.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.4% | 34.2–46.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.8% | 19.4–24.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.8% | 15.9–19.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.8% | 13.2–16.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.5% | 13.9–17.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.9% | 28.0–36.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.3–7.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.7–10.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.5% | 13.7–17.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.3–5.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.8% | 20.4–27.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.6% | 16.3–21.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.8% | 13.9–17.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.3% | 13.3–17.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.9% | 8.8–11.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.5% | 30.4–40.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | GA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.6–27.5%) n=709 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 22.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 18.3% (8.4–29.7%) n=713 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.1% (3.9–22.9%) n=720 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 23.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.3% (9.1–49.2%) n=720 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.1% (0.6–9.6%) n=714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.4% (0.3–12.3%) n=707 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.5–96.4%) n=707 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (13.6–38.3%) n=707 |
| Homeownership rate | 59.2% | 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 | 6.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 3.8% (0.0–15.8%) n=720 |
| Single-parent households | 51.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.8% (36.1–66.7%) n=705 |
| Population 65+ | 16.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (10.0–28.3%) n=720 |
| Median age | 39.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.8 yr (33.1–51.4) n=715 |
| Median household income | $69,493 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,254 ($44,032–$106,158) n=677 |
| Median home value | $216,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,200 ($91,000–$413,150) n=666 |
| Median gross rent | $1,260 | $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 | 77.7 yr ± 0.70 | 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 0.70 years of 77.7, 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