ZIP code
02139
in Cambridge, MassachusettsPopulation 40,033
67.87/ 100
Ranked #1,048 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 3.3%)
Ranked #67 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 12.8%)
Ranked #63 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (top 22%)
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.
High blood pressure
20.1%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
26.7%
in the bottom 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Walkability
290 intersections/sq mi
in the top 0.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Obesity
22%
in the bottom 2.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
3.0%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
40.5%
in the top 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
3.4%
in the bottom 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
872 units
in the top 1.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Mammography
84.6%
in the top 0.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST67thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
5.8%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 02139, one of several in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by its composite score, sits in the top 3.3% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,048th) and the top 12.8% of Massachusetts (67th).
The data opens on a genuinely even set of readings: modeled high blood pressure rests in the bottom 1.3% nationally, and high cholesterol resides in the bottom 1.6% nationally. Walkability is in the top 0.9% nationally, and modeled obesity lands in the bottom 2.1% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease stands in the bottom 1.5% nationally, modeled hearing disability registers in the bottom 1.2% nationally, and subsidized affordable housing settles in the top 1.9% nationally. Modeled mammography sits in the top 0.8% nationally, and diabetes lies in the bottom 1.5% nationally. On the other side, households without a vehicle rests in the top 1.5% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, lead in tap water runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 02138, 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 98%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 87%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Disability
healthier than 97%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 44%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 59%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 97%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 44%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 49%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 96%
21%
Disability
healthier than 81%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 58%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 20%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 31%
8%
“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 26.4; chronic-disease standing 98.5 (top 10%) — 72 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,579 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
02116
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 66.52
Closest healthier
02138
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 68.48
Similar health profile
02453
Massachusetts99% similar profile
Score 64.99
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 | 14.7% | 13.4–16.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 20.1% | 18.4–21.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.6% | 4.3–5.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.1% | 10.1–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.3 |
| Depression among adults | 24.5% | 22.2–27.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 26.7% | 24.6–28.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 22.0% | 19.2–25.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 1.7% | 1.5–1.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.4% | 6.1–8.8 |
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 | 63.3% | 61.0–65.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.1% | 73.4–78.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.4% | 84.7–87.9 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.3% | 69.4–75.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.9% | 68.4–73.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 84.6% | 80.9–87.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.8% | 16.7–21.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 7.3% | 6.3–8.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 15.9% | 14.0–18.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.6% | 29.3–35.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 11.6% | 10.4–12.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.9–18.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 8.0% | 7.2–8.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.2% | 11.9–14.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 21.5% | 19.4–23.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 1.9% | 1.7–2.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.7% | 20.3–25.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.0% | 9.6–12.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.4% | 10.0–13.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.8–11.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–9.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.9% | 34.7–41.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 5.3–6.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.9% | 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+) | 79.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 40.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 32.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 28.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 48.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 11.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 30.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $134,586 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $1,087,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,691 | $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 | 80.5 yr ± 0.73 | 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 0.73 years of 80.5, 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