ZIP code
34442
in Hernando, FloridaPopulation 17,281
51.56/ 100
Ranked #14,048 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 44%)
Ranked #522 of 974 Florida ZIPs (bottom 46%)
Ranked #1 of 13 Homosassa Springs, FL ZIPs (top 7.7%)
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.
High cholesterol
49.1%
in the top 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
188.8 days/year
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST63rdUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Coronary heart disease
11.8%
in the top 2.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
10.5%
in the bottom 2.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
12.1%
in the top 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
71.6%
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
75.6%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Stroke
5.5%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
1.3%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.3%
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST50thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Hernando, Florida (ZIP 34442), by its overall standing, sits in the top 44% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,048th) and the bottom 46% of Florida (522nd).
Both sides of the picture show up plainly in this area's numbers: modeled binge drinking resides in the bottom 2.1% nationally, colon screening rests in the top 2.3% nationally, and arsenic lies in the bottom 9.7% nationally. By contrast, modeled high cholesterol sits in the top 0.5% nationally, humid heat settles in the top 1.1% nationally, and coronary heart disease registers in the top 2.1% nationally. Modeled hearing disability stands in the top 4.2% nationally, and pfas lands in the top 4.0% nationally. Modeled stroke is in the top 7.8% nationally, and slow internet speeds resides in the top 8.7% nationally.
Held up against its neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined in plain terms, pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 34481, about 1.9 miles away.
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 Homosassa Springs, FL metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 62%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 68%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 93%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 95%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 10%
21%
Disability
healthier than 31%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 93%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 82%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 82%
8%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 52%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 10%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 39%
16%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 89%
16%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
in the top 0.00%
8%
Disability
in the top 0.00%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 33%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 33%
5%
“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
2 of our published findings list 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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 74.9 ± 1.7 years. A median household income of $57,259 predicts 77.9 years — 3.0 years below.
Ranked #4,097 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Clean environment, heavy chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 67.8; chronic-disease standing 9.6 (bottom 10%) — 58 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #1,875 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
34432
Floridashares a border
Score 43.09
Closest healthier
34481
Floridaabout 1.9 mi away
Score 52.76
Similar health profile
33573
Florida98% similar profile
Score 55.26
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 | 39.4% | 35.7–43.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 45.3% | 41.2–49.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 15.8% | 14.4–17.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.3% | 8.2–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 11.8% | 10.6–13.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.7% | 9.5–12.2 |
| Depression among adults | 16.8% | 14.3–19.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 16.2% | 14.2–18.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 49.1% | 44.8–53.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 30.2% | 24.8–36.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.7% | 9.6–13.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.1% | 8.8–11.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 86.2% | 83.7–88.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 84.8% | 82.2–87.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 91.9% | 90.8–92.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 75.6% | 71.6–79.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.6% | 57.2–63.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.0% | 67.8–81.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 10.5% | 8.6–12.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.8% | 11.2–14.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.9% | 23.0–31.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.3% | 30.3–40.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.9% | 18.4–23.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.6% | 12.1–15.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.5–18.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.4–13.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 36.6% | 32.6–40.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 12.1% | 10.9–13.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 20.1% | 17.7–22.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.0–5.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | FL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 11.4% (5.3–23.2%) n=972 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 16.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 15.9% (7.1–27.2%) n=968 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.7% (2.9–20.6%) n=977 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 26.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 29.1% (12.7–56.0%) n=977 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.8–7.7%) n=968 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.3% (1.2–11.0%) n=972 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.9% (83.2–96.9%) n=972 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 33.2% (20.1–47.6%) n=972 |
| Homeownership rate | 87.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 74.9% (47.3–90.5%) n=972 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.2% (0.2–6.7%) n=972 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 11.5% (2.3–39.9%) n=977 |
| Single-parent households | 82.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.8% (38.7–75.3%) n=968 |
| Population 65+ | 50.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (11.9–40.6%) n=977 |
| Median age | 65.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.0 yr (35.1–59.8) n=972 |
| Median household income | $57,259 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $72,857 ($48,246–$112,420) n=946 |
| Median home value | $338,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $334,600 ($168,120–$631,410) n=932 |
| Median gross rent | $995 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,604 ($968–$2,218) n=901 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | FL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 74.9 yr ± 0.89 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 78.2 yr (74.6–82.2) n=894 |
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 0.89 years of 74.9, 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