ZIP code
02132
in West Roxbury, MassachusettsPopulation 26,444
67.25/ 100
Ranked #1,213 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 3.8%)
Ranked #76 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 14.5%)
Ranked #70 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (top 25%)
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.
Lead in tap water
23 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 ›Obesity
21.1%
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
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 ›Walkability
190 intersections/sq mi
in the top 2.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Transit access
6.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Median household income
$138,724
in the top 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST77thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
28.5%
in the bottom 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Park land
19.6%
in the top 7.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.2 mi
in the bottom 7.9% 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 ›Transportation noise
10.1%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST78thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›The read
Judged by its overall standing, West Roxbury, Massachusetts (ZIP 02132) sits in the top 3.8% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,213th) and the top 14.5% of Massachusetts (76th).
An even profile, with readings pulling both ways: modeled obesity rests in the bottom 1.4% nationally, modeled mammography settles in the top 0.4% nationally, and walkability lands in the top 2.7% nationally. Transit rests in the top 2.9% nationally, household income settles in the top 5.3% nationally, and modeled short sleep lands in the bottom 4.3% nationally. Park land rests in the top 7.1% nationally. Against that, lead in tap water settles in the top 0.6% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site lands in the bottom 7.9% nationally. Modeled transportation noise rests in the top 8.5% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, lead in tap water runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put plainly, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 02459, 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 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 89%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 98%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 80%
8%
Disability
healthier than 92%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 69%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 43%
14%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 73%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 77%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 63%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 73%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 84%
8%
Disability
healthier than 70%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 59%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 63%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 66%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 71%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 78%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 73%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 61%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 59%
11%
Disability
healthier than 59%
7%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
“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 ›
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
02459
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 73.41
Similar health profile
02806
Rhode Island100% similar profile
Score 71.21
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 | 24.0% | 21.9–26.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.3% | 26.8–32.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.6% | 8.8–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.5% | 4.9–6.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.6 |
| Depression among adults | 22.1% | 19.8–24.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.6% | 7.6–9.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.6% | 34.6–40.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 21.1% | 18.0–24.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.1% | 6.8–9.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 3.5% | 3.0–4.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.0% | 75.4–80.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.0% | 79.9–84.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 92.0% | 91.0–92.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.2% | 69.1–75.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 75.5% | 73.4–77.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 85.8% | 82.0–89.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.4% | 17.2–21.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.5% | 7.3–9.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.6% | 16.3–21.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.5% | 25.4–31.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.0% | 11.5–14.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.8% | 12.5–15.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 22.3% | 20.0–24.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.0% | 8.8–11.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.6% | 2.3–2.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.2% | 17.9–22.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.9% | 7.7–10.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.6–11.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.5–9.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.1% | 29.7–36.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.4 |
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 | 2.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 66.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 70.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 18.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 51.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 19.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 43.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $138,724 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $746,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,184 | $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 | 82.1 yr ± 0.65 | 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 0.65 years of 82.1, 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