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ZipVitals

ZIP code

43228

in Columbus, OhioPopulation 59,077

44.75/ 100

Ranked #22,675 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 29%)

Ranked #749 of 1,176 Ohio ZIPs (bottom 36%)

Ranked #94 of 127 Columbus, OH ZIPs (bottom 26%)

Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.

Robust across all 9 health domains

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.

Subsidized affordable housing

2,355 units

in the top 0.2% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST99th
US99th
Definition & source ›

The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

Full methodology ›

PFOA in drinking water

100%

at the national maximum

Lower is healthier

ST99th
US99th
Definition & 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 ›

Loneliness

41%

in the top 2.8% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST96th
US97th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.

Full methodology ›

PFAS in drinking water

100%

at the national maximum

Lower is healthier

ST99th
US99th
Definition & source ›

The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were 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 ›

Radon

3.2 pCi/L

in the top 7.8% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST78th
US92nd
Definition & source ›

The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.

Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.

Full methodology ›

Homeownership rate

44.2%

in the bottom 6.6% nationally

Higher is healthier

ST6th
US7th
Definition & source ›

The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.

Full methodology ›

Expected annual disaster loss

$0

in the top 8.9% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST99th
US91st
Definition & source ›

FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.

Full methodology ›

Utility shut-off threat

12.8%

in the top 11.7% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST91st
US88th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.

Full methodology ›

High cholesterol

32.7%

in the bottom 8.5% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST5th
US8th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.

Full methodology ›

Hearing disability

5.6%

in the bottom 12.1% nationally

Lower is healthier

ST8th
US12th
Definition & source ›

The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.

Full methodology ›

The read

By the composite health measure, ZIP 43228, one of several in Columbus, Ohio ranks in the bottom 29% nationally (22,675th) and the bottom 36% of Ohio (749th).

continue reading

Where the load on this area runs deepest, the data leads: PFOA in drinking water registers at the national maximum, and modeled loneliness rests in the top 2.8% nationally. PFAS in drinking water stands at the national maximum, and modeled radon lies in the top 7.8% nationally. Homeownership lands in the bottom 6.6% nationally, modeled expected annual loss sits in the top 8.9% nationally, and modeled loud transportation noise is in the top 11.0% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff settles in the top 11.7% nationally. More encouragingly, subsidized affordable housing resides in the top 0.2% nationally. Distance to an emergency room registers at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs.

Read against the ZIPs closest to it, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Close by, ZIP 43026, just across the boundary, 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, OH metro area.

Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.

Compare within

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 66%

21%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 75%

5%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 71%

5%

About typical

Disability

healthier than 45%

7%

Holding it back

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 40%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 6%

14%

Preventive Care

healthier than 18%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 15%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 7%

8%

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 87%

21%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 64%

5%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 68%

5%

About typical

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 44%

16%

Holding it back

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 10%

14%

Preventive Care

healthier than 8%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 29%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 11%

8%

Disability

healthier than 36%

7%

Lifting this score

Chronic Disease Burden

healthier than 66%

21%

Climate / Disaster Risk

healthier than 74%

5%

Healthcare Access

healthier than 63%

5%

Holding it back

Social Need / SDOH

healthier than 34%

16%

Environmental Hazard

healthier than 19%

14%

Preventive Care

healthier than 7%

13%

Risk Behavior

healthier than 28%

11%

Mental Health

healthier than 11%

8%

Disability

healthier than 23%

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

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 76.0 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $61,713 predicts 78.2 years — 2.2 years below.

    Ranked #2,904 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.

  • Heavy environment, light chronic burden

    Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions

    Environmental-hazard standing 6.1 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 66.2 — 60 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.

    Ranked #15,428 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.

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
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Arthritis among adults24.2%22.2–26.1
High blood pressure among adults32.6%30.1–35.0
Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults6.1%5.5–6.6
Current asthma among adults11.8%10.6–13.0
Coronary heart disease among adults5.9%5.4–6.5
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults7.7%7.0–8.4
Depression among adults27.7%25.0–30.3
Diagnosed diabetes among adults12.5%11.2–13.8
High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened32.7%30.2–35.2
Obesity among adults36.1%32.6–39.6
Stroke among adults3.4%3.1–3.6
All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years19.6%16.9–22.5
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years12.9%11.3–14.4
Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure73.8%71.2–76.1
Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults77.6%75.0–80.0
Cholesterol screening among adults81.9%80.0–83.6
Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years59.0%55.4–62.3
Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults58.4%55.7–60.9
Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years75.1%69.6–80.0
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Binge drinking among adults18.1%15.9–20.4
Current cigarette smoking among adults17.7%15.9–19.7
No leisure-time physical activity among adults28.7%25.8–31.6
Short sleep duration among adults38.7%35.4–41.8
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults23.0%20.9–25.1
Frequent mental distress among adults20.8%18.9–22.6
Frequent physical distress among adults14.9%13.5–16.4
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Cognitive disability among adults17.5%15.9–19.3
Any disability among adults30.4%27.7–33.2
Hearing disability among adults5.6%5.0–6.2
Independent living disability among adults9.8%8.9–10.8
Mobility disability among adults13.7%12.4–15.1
Self-care disability among adults4.5%4.2–4.9
Vision disability among adults6.2%5.8–6.7
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
MeasureCrude prevalence95% CI
Lack of social and emotional support among adults24.9%22.0–28.1
Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults22.4%20.0–25.0
Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults19.3%17.3–21.5
Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults17.2%15.2–19.3
Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults11.9%10.7–13.2
Loneliness among adults41.0%37.0–45.0
Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults12.8%11.4–14.3
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)OH median (p10–p90)
Poverty rate18.0%10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,36410.7% (3.5–26.2%) n=1,177
Uninsured 18–6418.7%9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,2867.8% (2.5–18.1%) n=1,174
No HS diploma (25+)13.6%7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,5057.5% (2.3–17.0%) n=1,179
Bachelor's or higher (25+)27.2%23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,50519.7% (8.1–45.8%) n=1,179
Unemployment rate (16+)5.8%3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,2743.7% (0.0–9.8%) n=1,171
Households without a vehicle8.4%3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,3224.4% (0.0–14.5%) n=1,177
Broadband subscription93.3%89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,32288.9% (76.5–96.0%) n=1,177
Housing cost burden (≥30% income)33.0%23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,32221.3% (11.2–34.6%) n=1,177
Homeownership rate44.2%78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,32278.3% (52.8–91.8%) n=1,177
Crowded housing (>1 per room)4.6%1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,3220.8% (0.0–3.5%) n=1,177
Foreign-born population20.3%2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,5531.0% (0.0–6.8%) n=1,180
Single-parent households37.4%53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,08753.2% (36.6–68.1%) n=1,168
Population 65+10.8%19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,55319.0% (11.1–27.2%) n=1,180
Median age32.7 yr42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,29241.5 yr (33.2–50.5) n=1,169
Median household income$61,713$72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318$70,500 ($46,328–$101,197) n=1,127
Median home value$219,900$222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049$177,700 ($104,860–$310,980) n=1,117
Median gross rent$1,233$1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670$907 ($714–$1,294) n=1,007
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
MeasureValueUS median (p10–p90)OH median (p10–p90)
Life expectancy at birth76.0 yr ± 0.6178.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,30877.9 yr (74.0–81.3) n=1,154

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 0.61 years of 76.0, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.

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