ZIP code
34981
in Fort Pierce, FloridaPopulation 5,031
49.09/ 100
Ranked #17,533 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 45%)
Ranked #613 of 974 Florida ZIPs (bottom 37%)
Ranked #15 of 21 Port St. Lucie, FL ZIPs (bottom 29%)
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.
Mental-health provider access
0.45 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics located 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.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
0.92%
in the bottom 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Child-care access
1.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
180.2 days/year
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST42ndUS98thDefinition & 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Elder-services access
0.45 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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.
Full methodology ›Physician access
3.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices located 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.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
73.9%
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Slow internet speeds
2.7%
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, ZIP 34981, one of several in Fort Pierce, Florida places in the bottom 45% nationally (17,533rd) and the bottom 37% of Florida (613th).
The data opens on real and measurable burdens: modeled humid heat registers in the top 1.8% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water settles at the national maximum. PFOS in drinking water sits at the national maximum, and modeled pfas lies in the top 3.4% nationally. Slow internet speeds rests in the top 4.3% nationally. More encouragingly, mental-health providers resides in the top 1.1% nationally, modeled arsenic is in the bottom 1.1% nationally, and childcare lands in the top 1.1% nationally. Elder services stands in the top 2.8% nationally, and physicians registers in the top 2.9% nationally.
Beside the areas that surround it, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, 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. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 34983, 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 Port St. Lucie, 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 81%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 75%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 47%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Disability
healthier than 28%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 59%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 26%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Disability
healthier than 31%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 74%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 58%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 32%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 32%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Disability
healthier than 26%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 21%
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 76.1 ± 1.8 years. A median household income of $71,136 predicts 78.7 years — 2.7 years below.
Ranked #3,707 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 76.1 ± 1.8 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 79.5 years — 3.5 years below them.
Ranked #2,716 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
34945
Floridashares a border
Score 48.96
Closest healthier
34983
Floridashares a border
Score 54.74
Similar health profile
33765
Florida91% similar profile
Score 50.13
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 | 27.9% | 25.2–30.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.0% | 33.6–40.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.1% | 8.3–9.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.1% | 7.3–8.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.1 |
| Depression among adults | 19.4% | 16.7–22.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.4% | 11.9–15.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.3% | 34.7–41.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.8% | 26.5–37.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.2% | 3.9–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.6% | 12.9–18.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 17.2% | 15.1–19.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.1% | 74.5–79.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.4% | 72.0–78.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.3% | 82.6–86.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.3% | 60.7–69.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 54.8% | 51.2–58.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.8% | 65.5–79.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.9% | 12.5–17.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.7% | 13.7–17.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.0% | 24.3–31.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.8% | 31.6–42.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.9% | 20.4–25.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.9% | 17.0–20.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.2% | 14.5–18.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.8% | 15.0–18.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.5% | 31.8–39.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.5–9.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.0% | 9.0–11.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.0% | 15.1–19.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.4–7.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | FL median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 17.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 11.4% (5.3–23.2%) n=972 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 20.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 15.9% (7.1–27.2%) n=968 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 8.7% (2.9–20.6%) n=977 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 31.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 29.1% (12.7–56.0%) n=977 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.8–7.7%) n=968 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.3% (1.2–11.0%) n=972 |
| Broadband subscription | 97.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.9% (83.2–96.9%) n=972 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 33.2% (20.1–47.6%) n=972 |
| Homeownership rate | 64.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 74.9% (47.3–90.5%) n=972 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 2.2% (0.2–6.7%) n=972 |
| Foreign-born population | 11.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 11.5% (2.3–39.9%) n=977 |
| Single-parent households | 47.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.8% (38.7–75.3%) n=968 |
| Population 65+ | 13.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.4% (11.9–40.6%) n=977 |
| Median age | 32.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.0 yr (35.1–59.8) n=972 |
| Median household income | $71,136 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $72,857 ($48,246–$112,420) n=946 |
| Median home value | $373,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $334,600 ($168,120–$631,410) n=932 |
| Median gross rent | $1,304 | $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 | 76.0 yr ± 0.94 | 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 0.94 years of 76.0, 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