ZIP code
01537
in North Oxford, MassachusettsPopulation 2,278
56.05/ 100
Ranked #8,217 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 26%)
Ranked #387 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (bottom 27%)
Ranked #55 of 112 Worcester, MA-CT ZIPs (top 49%)
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.
Mammography
86%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Recreation access
1.9 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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
33.1%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Loud transportation noise
3.3%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
99.4%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
10.6%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST80thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
4.1%
in the bottom 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST62ndUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›The read
North Oxford, Massachusetts (ZIP 01537), by its composite score, sits in the top 26% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,217th) and the bottom 27% of Massachusetts (387th).
The measures land in both directions, and neither dominates: modeled mammography rests in the top 0.3% nationally, and recreation resides in the top 1.9% nationally. Home broadband subscription is in the top 5.6% nationally. Households without a vehicle lands at the national minimum, shared with about 16% of ZIPs. Modeled extreme heat stands at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Childcare registers in the top 12.2% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled arsenic settles in the top 2.6% nationally, loud transportation noise sits in the top 3.3% nationally, and transportation noise lies in the top 7.8% nationally. Fiber broadband rests at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs.
Next to the surrounding area, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 01501, 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 Worcester, MA-CT 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 67%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 96%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 50%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 20%
8%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Disability
healthier than 41%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 27%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 21%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 63%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Disability
healthier than 49%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 39%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 39%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Healthcare Access
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
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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 15.8; chronic-disease standing 67.4 — 52 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #14,547 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
01501
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 57.63
Closest healthier
01507
Massachusettsless than 0.1 mi away
Score 58.34
Similar health profile
17821
Pennsylvania99% similar profile
Score 55.13
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 | 28.5% | 26.0–31.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.2% | 30.3–36.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.3% | 8.5–10.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.7% | 11.3–14.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.1–6.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.2–7.7 |
| Depression among adults | 27.2% | 24.2–30.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.7% | 8.4–11.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.8% | 32.8–38.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.5% | 28.3–36.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.6–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.2% | 7.4–11.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.1% | 3.2–5.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.6% | 72.7–78.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.6% | 79.1–84.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.6% | 88.9–92.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.1% | 66.5–73.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 74.7% | 72.0–77.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 86.0% | 81.6–89.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.6% | 16.3–21.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.6% | 10.1–15.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.2% | 18.6–26.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.2% | 29.4–36.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.0% | 13.5–18.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.7% | 15.5–19.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.5% | 11.7–15.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.1% | 12.0–16.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.7% | 24.1–31.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.1–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.1–8.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.8% | 9.9–13.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.5–3.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.1–4.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.6% | 20.6–26.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 8.3–12.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.2% | 9.4–14.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 7.8–11.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.6% | 5.5–7.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.9% | 30.3–37.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.5% | 5.4–7.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 0.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 99.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 77.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 17.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 54.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 11.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 35.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $102,956 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $353,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $1,138 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,659 ($1,104–$2,452) n=461 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 80.6 yr ± 2.02 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 81.3 yr (78.1–84.4) n=514 |
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 2.02 years of 80.6, 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