ZIP code
02021
in Canton, MassachusettsPopulation 24,748
66.47/ 100
Ranked #1,457 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 4.6%)
Ranked #91 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #82 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (top 29%)
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
85.4%
in the top 0.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST80thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Obesity
23.1%
in the bottom 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$143,381
in the top 4.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST80thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
7.5%
in the bottom 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST25thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
12.1%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Recreation access
1.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST84thUS93rdDefinition & 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
92.4%
in the top 7.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST82ndUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Park land
16.1%
in the top 8.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
5.5%
in the bottom 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
7.2%
in the bottom 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST28thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Canton, Massachusetts (ZIP 02021) ranks in the top 4.6% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,457th) and the top 17% of Massachusetts (91st).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: modeled mammography settles in the top 0.5% nationally, and obesity resides in the bottom 3.1% nationally. Household income registers in the top 4.7% nationally, and modeled food insecurity rests in the bottom 5.4% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health stands in the bottom 3.6% nationally, recreation lies in the top 7.1% nationally, and park land lands in the top 8.4% nationally. Modeled independent living disability sits in the bottom 5.4% nationally, and housing insecurity is in the bottom 8.8% nationally. Set against that, PFOA in drinking water settles in the top 7.7% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, park land 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. Close by, ZIP 02067, 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 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 88%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 98%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 94%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Disability
healthier than 93%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 72%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 74%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 74%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 85%
8%
Disability
healthier than 75%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 61%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 18%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 61%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 80%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 74%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 81%
8%
Disability
healthier than 64%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 63%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 16%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 16%
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 14.1; chronic-disease standing 85.9 — 72 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,558 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
02026
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 63.68
Closest healthier
02067
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 71.60
Similar health profile
35226
Alabama99% similar profile
Score 65.72
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 | 26.5% | 24.2–29.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.2% | 27.5–33.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.0% | 9.1–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.6–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.7–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.6% | 4.0–5.2 |
| Depression among adults | 21.6% | 19.1–24.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.6% | 7.5–9.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.4% | 33.2–39.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 23.1% | 19.5–27.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–2.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.4% | 5.2–7.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 3.1% | 2.6–3.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.1% | 74.2–79.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.6% | 80.2–84.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 92.5% | 91.4–93.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.5% | 67.9–74.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 75.9% | 73.3–78.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 85.4% | 81.1–89.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.7% | 14.5–19.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.0% | 6.8–9.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 15.5% | 13.3–17.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.7% | 28.0–35.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.1% | 10.6–13.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.7% | 12.3–15.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.4% | 9.2–11.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.9% | 9.7–12.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 23.1% | 20.5–25.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.9–6.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.5–11.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.3% | 2.1–2.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.1% | 18.5–23.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.3–8.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.1–9.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.2–8.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.5–5.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.4% | 27.9–34.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 4.1–5.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 67.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 15.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 46.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 18.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 42.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $143,381 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $710,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,315 | $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 | 80.9 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 80.9, 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