ZIP code
31803
in Buena Vista, GeorgiaPopulation 4,499
38.84/ 100
Ranked #27,523 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 14.2%)
Ranked #594 of 711 Georgia ZIPs (bottom 16%)
Ranked #26 of 36 Columbus, GA-AL ZIPs (bottom 28%)
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.
Diabetes
19.9%
in the top 3.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Self-care disability
7.2%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with difficulty dressing or bathing.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.1%
in the bottom 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST22ndUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Stroke
5.8%
in the top 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Vision disability
9.0%
in the top 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even with glasses.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
47.8%
in the top 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
12.8%
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Loneliness
38.5%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST71stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
29.8%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
17.2%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›The read
Buena Vista, Georgia (ZIP 31803), overall, ranks in the bottom 14.2% nationally (27,523rd) and the bottom 16% of Georgia (594th).
Taken together, the data gives a genuinely mixed reading: modeled arsenic stands in the bottom 4.6% nationally. On the other side, modeled diabetes rests in the top 3.9% nationally, self-care disability registers in the top 5.1% nationally, and stroke resides in the top 5.3% nationally. Modeled vision disability settles in the top 7.6% nationally, and high blood pressure is in the top 6.3% nationally. Modeled independent living disability sits in the top 7.5% nationally, and loneliness lands in the top 7.3% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health lies in the top 8.7% nationally, and uninsured stands in the top 7.4% nationally.
Defined simply, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. ZIP 31719, just across the boundary, comes out 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 Columbus, GA-AL 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 73%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 50%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 10%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 16%
11%
Disability
healthier than 8%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 62%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 12%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 16%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 36%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 66%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 83%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 40%
16%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 26%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 20%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 34%
8%
Disability
healthier than 20%
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 72.7; chronic-disease standing 9.9 (bottom 10%) — 63 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #1,540 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
31058
Georgiashares a border
Score 36.52
Closest healthier
31719
Georgiashares a border
Score 42.64
Similar health profile
30833
Georgia99% similar profile
Score 36.42
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 | 32.6% | 29.0–36.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 47.8% | 43.3–52.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–8.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.3% | 10.0–12.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.2% | 8.3–10.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.7% | 9.5–12.0 |
| Depression among adults | 20.2% | 17.0–23.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 19.9% | 17.6–22.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.1% | 37.4–46.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 41.2% | 32.6–49.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 23.5% | 19.7–27.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 17.2% | 14.9–19.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 81.7% | 79.2–83.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.3% | 76.9–83.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.2% | 84.5–87.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.4% | 57.2–67.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 49.0% | 45.3–52.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.4% | 66.6–81.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.0% | 9.7–14.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.8% | 17.2–22.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 36.4% | 31.3–41.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.8% | 34.1–47.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 29.8% | 26.5–33.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.9% | 16.8–21.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.3% | 16.3–20.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.3% | 16.2–20.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 39.7% | 35.0–44.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.8% | 11.4–14.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 22.3% | 19.8–25.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.5–7.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 9.0% | 8.1–9.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.7% | 24.0–31.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 27.4% | 24.2–30.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 24.7% | 21.8–27.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.5% | 18.0–23.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 13.6% | 12.1–15.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 38.5% | 33.2–43.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 14.0% | 12.3–15.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | GA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 22.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.6–27.5%) n=709 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 25.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 18.3% (8.4–29.7%) n=713 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 24.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.1% (3.9–22.9%) n=720 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 15.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 21.3% (9.1–49.2%) n=720 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.1% (0.6–9.6%) n=714 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.4% (0.3–12.3%) n=707 |
| Broadband subscription | 75.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.5–96.4%) n=707 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (13.6–38.3%) n=707 |
| Homeownership rate | 67.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 73.7% (48.8–89.0%) n=707 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–5.0%) n=707 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 3.8% (0.0–15.8%) n=720 |
| Single-parent households | 38.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.8% (36.1–66.7%) n=705 |
| Population 65+ | 19.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (10.0–28.3%) n=720 |
| Median age | 40.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.8 yr (33.1–51.4) n=715 |
| Median household income | $45,189 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,254 ($44,032–$106,158) n=677 |
| Median home value | $104,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,200 ($91,000–$413,150) n=666 |
| Median gross rent | $706 | $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 | 76.4 yr ± 1.10 | 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 1.10 years of 76.4, 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