ZIP code
01581
in Westborough, MassachusettsPopulation 21,944
66.40/ 100
Ranked #1,480 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 4.7%)
Ranked #92 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #4 of 112 Worcester, MA-CT ZIPs (top 3.6%)
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.
Mammography
86.9%
in the top 0.07% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Median household income
$141,944
in the top 4.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST79thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
1.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental 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 ›Recreation access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›PFOA in drinking water
94.7%
in the top 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
26.7%
in the bottom 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST46thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
94.7%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.14 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Mobility disability
9.0%
in the bottom 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST16thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, Westborough, Massachusetts (ZIP 01581) comes out in the top 4.7% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,480th) and the top 17% of Massachusetts (92nd).
Both sides of the picture show up plainly in this area's numbers: modeled mammography settles in the top 0.07% nationally, household income registers in the top 4.9% nationally, and dental providers stands in the top 5.3% nationally. Recreation lands in the top 6.5% nationally, modeled obesity is in the bottom 8.5% nationally, and mental-health providers resides in the top 7.3% nationally. Modeled mobility disability rests in the bottom 5.6% nationally. By contrast, distance to a Superfund site lies at the national minimum, and PFOA in drinking water sits in the top 6.6% nationally. PFOS in drinking water settles in the top 6.8% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. 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. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 01748, 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 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 88%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 90%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 80%
8%
Disability
healthier than 96%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 78%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 68%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 81%
8%
Disability
healthier than 83%
7%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 59%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 27%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 95%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 92%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 92%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 99%
8%
Disability
healthier than 93%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 5%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 38%
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 22.7; chronic-disease standing 88.5 — 66 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,006 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
01532
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 66.08
Closest healthier
01748
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 70.03
Similar health profile
02056
Massachusetts100% similar profile
Score 66.80
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 | 23.5% | 21.4–25.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.5% | 27.0–32.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.3% | 7.6–9.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.8% | 4.2–5.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.3% | 3.7–5.0 |
| Depression among adults | 22.1% | 19.7–24.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.6% | 7.6–9.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.5% | 31.6–37.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 26.7% | 23.1–30.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.4% | 2.2–2.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.8% | 8.9–12.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 3.3% | 2.8–4.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.0% | 72.2–77.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.2% | 79.9–84.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 91.5% | 90.4–92.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.5% | 64.9–71.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 75.6% | 73.1–77.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 86.9% | 82.7–90.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.7% | 14.6–19.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.3% | 7.0–9.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.9% | 16.3–21.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.1% | 28.4–35.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.6% | 11.0–14.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.9% | 12.5–15.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.3–11.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 22.0% | 19.5–24.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.6–6.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 9.0% | 7.7–10.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.2% | 2.0–2.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.6–3.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.1% | 20.6–25.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.3–10.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.1–10.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.4–8.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–6.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.5% | 29.4–36.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.9% | 4.2–5.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 65.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 61.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 5.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 30.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 42.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 15.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 38.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $141,944 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $685,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,106 | $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 | 80.5 yr ± 0.69 | 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 0.69 years of 80.5, 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