ZIP code
01609
in Worcester, MassachusettsPopulation 22,047
48.20/ 100
Ranked #18,685 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 42%)
Ranked #487 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (bottom 7.6%)
Ranked #104 of 112 Worcester, MA-CT ZIPs (bottom 7.2%)
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.
Households without a vehicle
22.8%
in the top 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Mammography
83.2%
in the top 2.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST40thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Slow internet speeds
2.7%
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
1.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
40.1%
in the bottom 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST10thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
30.7%
in the bottom 4.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
403 units
in the top 5.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
43.7%
in the top 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
38.7%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, ZIP 01609, one of several in Worcester, Massachusetts comes out in the bottom 42% nationally (18,685th) and the bottom 7.6% of Massachusetts (487th).
The profile opens balanced, with readings on either hand: modeled mammography sits in the top 2.1% nationally, dental providers settles in the top 5.1% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol registers in the bottom 4.2% nationally. Subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 5.9% nationally. By contrast, households without a vehicle lands in the top 3.7% nationally, and slow internet speeds is in the top 4.4% nationally. PFAS in drinking water resides at the national maximum, and homeownership rests in the bottom 5.3% nationally. Housing-cost burden lies in the top 6.4% nationally, and modeled loneliness sits in the top 6.8% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 01602, 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 76%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 43%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 9%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Disability
healthier than 37%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 96%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 94%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 11%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 10%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 96%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 7%
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 79.8 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $68,381 predicts 78.6 years — 1.2 years above.
Ranked #1,393 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 14.8; chronic-disease standing 75.7 — 61 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,510 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
01602
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 55.96
Closest healthier
01520
Massachusettsless than 0.1 mi away
Score 63.44
Similar health profile
01850
Massachusetts95% similar profile
Score 46.41
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 | 21.9% | 20.1–23.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.1% | 27.8–32.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.2% | 5.7–6.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.7% | 11.4–14.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.7% | 5.2–6.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.3 |
| Depression among adults | 27.4% | 24.7–30.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 30.7% | 28.3–33.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.2% | 29.2–37.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.8–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 18.5% | 15.6–21.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.2% | 7.0–9.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 69.7% | 67.4–71.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.8% | 76.1–81.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 81.7% | 79.3–83.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.5% | 62.7–69.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.1% | 59.2–64.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 83.2% | 78.2–87.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.9% | 15.6–20.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 27.8% | 24.8–30.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.7% | 31.8–39.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.9% | 19.8–24.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 21.0% | 18.9–23.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.2% | 12.8–15.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.8% | 17.7–21.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.8% | 30.7–37.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.8% | 11.5–14.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.9–4.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.1–7.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.9% | 23.2–29.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 23.5% | 20.9–26.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 27.7% | 25.1–30.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.7% | 14.9–18.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 14.3% | 12.8–16.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 38.7% | 35.3–42.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.6% | 11.2–14.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 23.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 10.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 50.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 22.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 43.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 40.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 22.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 51.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 15.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 29.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $68,381 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $444,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $1,275 | $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 | 79.8 yr ± 0.54 | 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 0.54 years of 79.8, 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