ZIP code
31808
in Fortson, GeorgiaPopulation 8,893
62.16/ 100
Ranked #3,426 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 10.7%)
Ranked #54 of 711 Georgia ZIPs (top 7.6%)
Ranked #2 of 36 Columbus, GA-AL ZIPs (top 5.6%)
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.
Arsenic in groundwater
0.96%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
93.5%
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
93.5%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
95.4%
in the top 8.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
59.9 mi
in the top 8.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Tree cover
68.5%
in the top 9.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
9.1%
in the bottom 13.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
6.2%
in the bottom 11.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS11thDefinition & 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 ›Fair or poor health
14.7%
in the bottom 12.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
11.4%
in the bottom 12.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Fortson, Georgia (ZIP 31808) ranks in the top 10.7% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,426th) and the top 7.6% of Georgia (54th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: modeled arsenic lies in the bottom 1.5% nationally, and homeownership lands in the top 8.1% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site sits in the top 8.7% nationally, and modeled tree cover is in the top 9.9% nationally. Distance to a community health center settles at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled mobility disability resides in the bottom 10.9% nationally, food insecurity registers in the bottom 13.5% nationally, and hearing disability rests in the bottom 13.2% nationally. On the other side, PFOA in drinking water stands in the top 7.2% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water lies in the top 7.3% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. PFOS in drinking water is a common one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Close by, ZIP 31829, about 8.0 miles away, 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 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 82%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 66%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 81%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 84%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 29%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 90%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 94%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 93%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 77%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 52%
14%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 97%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 97%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 94%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 94%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 89%
8%
Disability
healthier than 94%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 40%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
“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.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 80.2 ± 1.9 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.2 years — 3.9 years above them.
Ranked #373 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
31804
Georgiashares a border
Score 59.85
Closest healthier
31829
Georgiaabout 8.0 mi away
Score 65.41
Similar health profile
62269
Illinois99% similar profile
Score 61.58
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 | 25.5% | 22.5–28.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.9% | 30.2–37.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.5% | 8.5–10.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–5.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.5–6.0 |
| Depression among adults | 19.3% | 16.6–22.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.6% | 9.2–12.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.9% | 33.9–41.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.7% | 25.7–37.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.9% | 6.4–9.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.3% | 7.1–9.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.1% | 75.1–80.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.1% | 75.9–81.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.6% | 88.1–90.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.1% | 66.2–74.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.6% | 64.8–70.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.7% | 72.7–84.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.8% | 14.2–19.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.1% | 9.3–13.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.9% | 16.7–23.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.0% | 32.1–42.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.7% | 12.8–16.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.2% | 13.5–16.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.7% | 10.3–13.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.4% | 10.0–12.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 24.2% | 21.0–27.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.0–6.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.4–6.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.4% | 9.0–12.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.4% | 17.9–23.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.7–10.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.2–7.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.1% | 29.1–37.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.7–6.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | GA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.8% (5.6–27.5%) n=709 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 18.3% (8.4–29.7%) n=713 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 12.1% (3.9–22.9%) n=720 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 43.2% | 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 | 0.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.4% (0.3–12.3%) n=707 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.3% (72.5–96.4%) n=707 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 25.1% (13.6–38.3%) n=707 |
| Homeownership rate | 95.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 73.7% (48.8–89.0%) n=707 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.7% (0.0–5.0%) n=707 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 3.8% (0.0–15.8%) n=720 |
| Single-parent households | 59.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 48.8% (36.1–66.7%) n=705 |
| Population 65+ | 14.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.0% (10.0–28.3%) n=720 |
| Median age | 38.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 39.8 yr (33.1–51.4) n=715 |
| Median household income | $109,294 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,254 ($44,032–$106,158) n=677 |
| Median home value | $291,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $215,200 ($91,000–$413,150) n=666 |
| Median gross rent | $1,520 | $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 | 80.2 yr ± 0.97 | 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 0.97 years of 80.2, 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