ZIP code
31781
in Poulan, GeorgiaPopulation 2,174
38.78/ 100
Ranked #27,551 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 14.1%)
Ranked #598 of 711 Georgia ZIPs (bottom 16%)
Ranked #10 of 15 Albany, GA ZIPs (bottom 33%)
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.
Grocery access
0.66 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
3.9%
in the top 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
15.7%
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
33.3%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
12.5%
in the top 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility
14.1 mi
in the top 8.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.3%
in the bottom 8.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST44thUS9thDefinition & 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 ›Self-care disability
6.3%
in the top 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Mammography
69.2%
in the bottom 11.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS11thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›The read
Poulan, Georgia (ZIP 31781), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 14.1% nationally (27,551st) and the bottom 16% of Georgia (598th).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: grocery stands in the top 0.9% nationally, distance to a hazardous-chemical facility resides in the top 8.8% nationally, and modeled arsenic sits in the bottom 8.9% nationally. Pulling the other way, slow internet speeds stands in the top 3.1% nationally, unemployment resides in the top 3.4% nationally, and poverty sits in the top 5.1% nationally. Modeled independent living disability stands in the top 8.8% nationally. Fiber broadband resides at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled self-care disability sits in the top 9.7% nationally, and loneliness stands in the top 10.1% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, 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. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 31791, 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 Albany, 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 76%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 15%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 20%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 20%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 24%
8%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 65%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 65%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 19%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 23%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 17%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 64%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 36%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 29%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
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 75.8; chronic-disease standing 14.8 — 61 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #1,659 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
31714
Georgiashares a border
Score 31.76
Closest healthier
31791
Georgiashares a border
Score 42.45
Similar health profile
73651
Oklahoma99% similar profile
Score 32.02
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 | 33.2% | 29.6–36.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 44.5% | 40.1–49.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.1% | 8.3–10.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.7–12.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.1% | 8.3–10.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 11.3% | 10.0–12.7 |
| Depression among adults | 23.3% | 19.8–27.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 17.0% | 14.9–19.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.2% | 36.8–45.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.1% | 31.1–48.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.2% | 4.8–5.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 20.7% | 17.2–24.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 14.2% | 11.9–16.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.3% | 77.7–82.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.7% | 75.1–82.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.2% | 83.3–87.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.6% | 56.2–67.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 53.4% | 49.6–57.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 69.2% | 60.5–77.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.6% | 11.1–16.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 20.8% | 18.0–23.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 34.6% | 29.5–40.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.1% | 30.4–44.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 27.7% | 24.4–31.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.8% | 17.6–22.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.5% | 16.4–20.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.5% | 16.4–20.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.5% | 34.8–44.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.5% | 11.1–14.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.9% | 18.4–23.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–7.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.8% | 7.1–8.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.6% | 21.1–28.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.0% | 19.1–25.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 20.4% | 17.7–23.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.0% | 14.0–18.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.4% | 10.1–12.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.6% | 32.2–43.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.4% | 10.0–12.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | GA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 33.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.6–27.5%) n=709 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 19.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 18.3% (8.4–29.7%) n=713 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.1% (3.9–22.9%) n=720 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 10.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.3% (9.1–49.2%) n=720 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 15.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.1% (0.6–9.6%) n=714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 3.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.4% (0.3–12.3%) n=707 |
| Broadband subscription | 79.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.5–96.4%) n=707 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 36.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (13.6–38.3%) n=707 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 73.7% (48.8–89.0%) n=707 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–5.0%) n=707 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 3.8% (0.0–15.8%) n=720 |
| Single-parent households | 43.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.8% (36.1–66.7%) n=705 |
| Population 65+ | 13.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (10.0–28.3%) n=720 |
| Median age | 41.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.8 yr (33.1–51.4) n=715 |
| Median household income | $52,991 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,254 ($44,032–$106,158) n=677 |
| Median home value | $110,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,200 ($91,000–$413,150) n=666 |
| Median gross rent | $1,086 | $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 | 76.3 yr ± 0.93 | 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 0.93 years of 76.3, 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