ZIP code
31543
in Hortense, GeorgiaPopulation 4,935
42.41/ 100
Ranked #24,902 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 22%)
Ranked #501 of 711 Georgia ZIPs (bottom 30%)
Ranked #8 of 13 Brunswick-St. Simons, GA ZIPs (bottom 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.
Humid extreme heat
149.6 days/year
in the top 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Home broadband subscription
70%
in the bottom 6.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Mammography
68.7%
in the bottom 9.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
92.9%
in the top 11.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS88thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility
11.3 mi
in the top 12.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS88thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest facility that handles enough hazardous chemicals to require an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Fiber broadband
91.5%
in the top 14.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS86thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
6.6 mi
in the top 22% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS78thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Hortense, Georgia (ZIP 31543) sits in the bottom 22% nationally (24,902nd) and the bottom 30% of Georgia (501st).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: distance to a community health center settles at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Homeownership stands in the top 11.9% nationally, distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is in the top 12.1% nationally, and modeled radon rests in the bottom 7.0% nationally. Fiber broadband sits in the top 14.3% nationally. On the other hand, modeled humid heat registers in the top 4.8% nationally, and home broadband subscription lands in the bottom 6.1% nationally. Modeled mammography resides in the bottom 9.4% nationally, and loneliness lies in the top 12.4% nationally. Floodplain exposure settles in the top 14.4% nationally.
In plain language, 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. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. ZIP 31523, 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 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 89%
14%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 38%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 33%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 15%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 87%
14%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 47%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 54%
16%
Disability
healthier than 43%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 16%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 3%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 11%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 64%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 64%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 45%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 27%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 36%
7%
“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.
Clean environment, heavy chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 88.6; chronic-disease standing 37.5 — 51 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #2,404 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
31331
Georgiashares a border
Score 40.48
Closest healthier
31523
Georgiashares a border
Score 53.30
Similar health profile
75486
Texas99% similar profile
Score 39.71
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 | 29.1% | 26.0–32.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.4% | 34.5–42.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.4% | 7.7–9.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.7% | 9.5–11.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.6% | 8.5–10.9 |
| Depression among adults | 24.5% | 21.2–27.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.4% | 11.8–15.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.7% | 35.7–43.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.8% | 31.3–46.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 18.9% | 16.1–21.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.7% | 11.3–16.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.4% | 74.7–79.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.2% | 72.5–79.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.8% | 81.6–85.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.7% | 56.9–66.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 53.4% | 49.9–57.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 68.7% | 61.1–76.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.9% | 13.2–18.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.4% | 16.7–22.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.9% | 26.4–35.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.4% | 31.3–43.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 23.7% | 20.9–26.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.1% | 18.0–22.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.9% | 15.0–18.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.1% | 16.1–20.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.5% | 31.3–39.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.6–12.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.7% | 14.6–18.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.6–6.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.0% | 19.7–26.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.6% | 14.9–20.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.0% | 12.7–17.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 11.5–15.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 8.3–10.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.0% | 32.0–42.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | GA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.6–27.5%) n=709 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 41.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 18.3% (8.4–29.7%) n=713 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 20.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.1% (3.9–22.9%) n=720 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.3% (9.1–49.2%) n=720 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.1% (0.6–9.6%) n=714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.4% (0.3–12.3%) n=707 |
| Broadband subscription | 70.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.5–96.4%) n=707 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 14.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (13.6–38.3%) n=707 |
| Homeownership rate | 92.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 73.7% (48.8–89.0%) n=707 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–5.0%) n=707 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 3.8% (0.0–15.8%) n=720 |
| Single-parent households | 65.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.8% (36.1–66.7%) n=705 |
| Population 65+ | 22.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (10.0–28.3%) n=720 |
| Median age | 41.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.8 yr (33.1–51.4) n=715 |
| Median household income | $50,181 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,254 ($44,032–$106,158) n=677 |
| Median home value | $81,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,200 ($91,000–$413,150) n=666 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 75.3 yr ± 0.72 | 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 0.72 years of 75.3, 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