ZIP code
02128
in Boston, MassachusettsPopulation 43,345
54.04/ 100
Ranked #10,638 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 33%)
Ranked #423 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (bottom 20%)
Ranked #250 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (bottom 11.1%)
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.
Transportation noise
51.7%
in the top 0.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Lead in tap water
22 ppb
in the top 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
US99thDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
1,074 units
in the top 1.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
21.9%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report binge drinking — five or more drinks on one occasion for men, four or more for women.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
23.7%
in the bottom 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
32%
in the top 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
29%
in the bottom 3.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Obesity
25%
in the bottom 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST30thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
39.5%
in the top 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both flood exposure and the share of households without a vehicle.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
By the composite measure, ZIP 02128, one of several in Boston, Massachusetts sits in the top 33% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,638th) and the bottom 20% of Massachusetts (423rd).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 1.2% nationally, modeled high blood pressure resides in the bottom 2.2% nationally, and modeled obesity lies in the bottom 5.6% nationally. On the other hand, modeled transportation noise settles in the top 0.4% nationally, lead in tap water stands in the top 0.6% nationally, and modeled binge drinking is in the top 1.9% nationally. Households without a vehicle rests in the top 2.2% nationally, and homeownership sits in the bottom 3.0% nationally. Modeled tree cover registers at the national minimum, and loneliness lands in the top 5.1% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, transportation noise runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. ZIP 02129, 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 95%
21%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 40%
16%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 21%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 35%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 91%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 31%
8%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 8%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 88%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 89%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 13%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 3%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 6%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Disability
healthier than 14%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
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 18.6; chronic-disease standing 95.2 (top 10%) — 77 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,949 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
02129
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 65.77
Closest healthier
02152
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 61.47
Similar health profile
52240
Iowa95% similar profile
Score 54.44
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 | 16.6% | 15.0–18.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 23.7% | 21.5–26.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.8% | 4.4–5.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.9–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.3% | 3.9–4.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Depression among adults | 23.6% | 21.2–26.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.5% | 7.5–9.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 30.9% | 28.3–33.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 25.0% | 21.6–29.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.4% | 2.2–2.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.1% | 12.9–17.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 11.5% | 9.9–13.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 67.2% | 64.4–70.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.1% | 72.4–77.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.8% | 83.2–86.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.1% | 55.5–62.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.0% | 56.3–61.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.7% | 75.9–85.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 21.9% | 19.5–24.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.3% | 10.8–13.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.6% | 23.7–29.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.8% | 30.4–37.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.8% | 17.8–21.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.2% | 16.4–20.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.4% | 11.2–13.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.9% | 15.3–18.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.6% | 24.9–30.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.5–9.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.8 |
| 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 | 26.3% | 23.5–29.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 21.6% | 19.1–24.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 22.2% | 19.7–24.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.4% | 17.2–21.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.3% | 10.9–13.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 39.5% | 35.9–43.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.1% | 9.7–12.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 15.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 22.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 38.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 32.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 41.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 29.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 8.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 44.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 41.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 8.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 34.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $90,106 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $668,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,064 | $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 | 79.5 yr ± 0.61 | 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 0.61 years of 79.5, 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