ZIP code
01851
in Lowell, MassachusettsPopulation 33,403
54.94/ 100
Ranked #9,514 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 30%)
Ranked #410 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (bottom 22%)
Ranked #245 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (bottom 12.9%)
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.
Walkability
190 intersections/sq mi
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Obesity
24.4%
in the bottom 4.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST25thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.1 mi
in the bottom 4.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS4thDefinition & 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 ›Loneliness
39.8%
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
12.8%
in the top 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST85thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
6.5%
in the top 5.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
96.2%
in the top 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Homeownership rate
43.7%
in the bottom 6.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST12thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
8.0%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Transit access
3.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops 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 ›The read
By the composite health measure, ZIP 01851, one of several in Lowell, Massachusetts ranks in the top 30% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,514th) and the bottom 22% of Massachusetts (410th).
The measures that set this area apart are worth putting up front: walkability lands in the top 2.9% nationally, and modeled obesity sits in the bottom 4.7% nationally. Transit is in the top 8.4% nationally. Set against that, distance to a Superfund site settles in the bottom 4.1% nationally, modeled loneliness resides in the top 4.5% nationally, and modeled transportation noise registers in the top 5.7% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure rests in the top 5.8% nationally, PFOA in drinking water stands in the top 5.9% nationally, and homeownership lies in the bottom 6.4% nationally. Crowded housing lands in the top 6.8% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, 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. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. Close by, ZIP 01824, 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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 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 87%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 17%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 39%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 76%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Disability
healthier than 20%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 67%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 66%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 46%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Disability
healthier than 11%
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 its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 78.6 ± 1.6 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 81.7 years — 3.2 years below them.
Ranked #2,492 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 14.5; chronic-disease standing 87.0 — 73 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,615 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
01824
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 65.38
Closest healthier
01863
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 64.56
Similar health profile
15953
Pennsylvania93% similar profile
Score 54.05
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 | 20.5% | 18.8–22.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 28.5% | 26.3–30.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.2% | 4.8–5.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 10.0–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.2 |
| Depression among adults | 21.8% | 19.7–24.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.4% | 10.2–12.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.1% | 32.6–37.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 24.4% | 21.3–27.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.6% | 13.1–18.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.7% | 6.6–9.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 71.1% | 68.6–73.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.8% | 75.3–80.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.3% | 84.8–87.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.2% | 57.9–64.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.0% | 56.2–61.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.3% | 74.8–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.5% | 11.9–15.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.7% | 12.2–15.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.3% | 25.5–31.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.3% | 33.8–40.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.5% | 18.6–22.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.0% | 15.5–18.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.3% | 11.1–13.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.3% | 14.8–18.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.6% | 27.1–32.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.2% | 4.7–5.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.9–9.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.2% | 10.9–13.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.8% | 26.9–32.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 21.4% | 19.0–23.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 22.2% | 19.9–24.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 16.2% | 14.4–18.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.7% | 10.4–13.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 39.8% | 36.6–43.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 9.2% | 8.0–10.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 20.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 39.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 43.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 8.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 39.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 40.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 11.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 36.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $92,401 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $467,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $1,714 | $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 | 78.6 yr ± 0.80 | 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 0.80 years of 78.6, 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