ZIP code
02026
in Dedham, MassachusettsPopulation 25,237
63.68/ 100
Ranked #2,621 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 8.2%)
Ranked #163 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 31%)
Ranked #139 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 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
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 ›PFOA in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›PFOS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
24.3%
in the bottom 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST24thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
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 ›Recreation access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Median household income
$128,955
in the top 7.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST69thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
11.5%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.2 mi
in the bottom 7.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST13thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Park land
16.2%
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 ›The read
By its overall health score, Dedham, Massachusetts (ZIP 02026) lands in the top 8.2% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,621st) and the top 31% of Massachusetts (163rd).
Neither strongly one way nor the other, the measures sit mixed: modeled mammography stands in the top 0.5% nationally, and obesity settles in the bottom 4.6% nationally. Recreation lies in the top 5.7% nationally, and household income resides in the top 7.3% nationally. Park land lands in the top 8.4% nationally. Against that, PFOA in drinking water registers at the national maximum, PFOS in drinking water sits at the national maximum, and PFAS in drinking water rests at the national maximum. Modeled transportation noise is in the top 6.8% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site stands in the bottom 7.7% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, 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. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 02021, 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 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 81%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 87%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 30%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 73%
8%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 55%
13%
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 19%
5%
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 62%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 66%
8%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 56%
11%
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 17%
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
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 80.3 ± 1.1 years. The 45 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 82.5 years — 2.2 years below them.
Ranked #1,740 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 30.3; chronic-disease standing 81.0 — 51 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #14,456 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
02021
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 66.47
Closest healthier
02090
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 68.89
Similar health profile
35173
Alabama99% similar profile
Score 60.38
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 | 27.2% | 24.6–29.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.7% | 27.8–33.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.0% | 9.2–10.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.8–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.6–6.0 |
| Depression among adults | 22.6% | 20.0–25.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.9% | 7.7–10.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.3% | 33.2–39.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 24.3% | 20.5–28.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.1% | 7.4–10.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.1% | 3.5–4.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.7% | 73.7–79.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.8% | 79.2–84.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 91.5% | 90.4–92.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.9% | 67.3–74.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 72.5% | 69.9–75.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 85.4% | 80.9–89.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.3% | 14.9–19.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.4% | 8.0–11.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 17.2% | 14.6–20.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.4% | 28.6–36.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.7% | 11.9–15.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.8% | 13.1–16.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.4% | 10.0–12.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.3% | 10.9–13.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.4% | 22.4–28.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–7.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.5–7.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.7% | 9.2–12.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.7% | 2.4–3.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.7% | 19.0–24.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 7.8–10.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 9.0–12.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 7.2–9.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.0% | 5.2–6.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.2% | 28.8–35.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.7–6.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 55.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.1% | 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 | 91.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 14.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 46.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 21.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 44.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $128,955 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $661,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,042 | $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 | 80.3 yr ± 0.56 | 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 0.56 years of 80.3, 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