ZIP code
02081
in Walpole, MassachusettsPopulation 19,343
66.49/ 100
Ranked #1,447 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 4.6%)
Ranked #88 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #80 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (top 28%)
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.
Median household income
$156,250
in the top 3.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Mammography
85.8%
in the top 0.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›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
23.4%
in the bottom 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST16thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
7.0%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
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 ›Housing insecurity
6.8%
in the bottom 6.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST21stUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
11.8%
in the bottom 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST14thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Walpole, Massachusetts (ZIP 02081) sits in the top 4.6% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,447th) and the top 17% of Massachusetts (88th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: household income stands in the top 3.3% nationally, modeled mammography is in the top 0.4% nationally, and modeled obesity rests in the bottom 3.4% nationally. Modeled food insecurity sits in the bottom 3.6% nationally, housing insecurity registers in the bottom 6.0% nationally, and fair or poor health lands in the bottom 3.0% nationally. Working the other way, distance to a Superfund site resides at the national minimum, and PFOA in drinking water lies at the national maximum. PFOS in drinking water settles at the national maximum, and PFAS in drinking water stands at the national maximum.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, 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. ZIP 02030, 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%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 91%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 98%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 92%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 76%
8%
Disability
healthier than 94%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 34%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 75%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 71%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 6%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 76%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 8%
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 86.8 — 64 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,810 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
02030
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 73.51
Closest healthier
02032
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 67.13
Similar health profile
01772
Massachusetts100% similar profile
Score 68.96
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 | 26.4% | 24.1–28.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.4% | 26.8–32.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.1% | 9.2–11.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.7–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.3 |
| Depression among adults | 22.6% | 20.0–25.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.1% | 7.2–9.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.2% | 33.1–39.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 23.4% | 20.0–27.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.6% | 2.3–2.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 5.9% | 4.7–7.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 3.1% | 2.6–3.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.1% | 73.1–78.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.9% | 79.3–84.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 92.2% | 91.0–93.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.9% | 68.4–75.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 76.0% | 73.5–78.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 85.8% | 81.5–89.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.1% | 15.6–20.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.5% | 7.2–9.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 14.9% | 12.8–17.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.1% | 27.4–34.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 11.8% | 10.4–13.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.1% | 12.5–15.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.1% | 9.9–12.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 22.9% | 20.3–25.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.8–6.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.2–10.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.3% | 2.1–2.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.4% | 17.9–23.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 5.8–8.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.9% | 6.5–9.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.7–7.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.0% | 4.3–5.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.0% | 27.5–34.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.6% | 3.9–5.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 65.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 9.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 43.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 18.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 42.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $156,250 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $687,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,110 | $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 | 82.8 yr ± 0.62 | 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 0.62 years of 82.8, 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