ZIP code
02145
in Somerville, MassachusettsPopulation 27,495
60.46/ 100
Ranked #4,508 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 14.1%)
Ranked #273 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (bottom 48%)
Ranked #183 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (bottom 35%)
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.
Walkability
340 intersections/sq mi
in the top 0.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›High blood pressure
22.4%
in the bottom 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
28.8%
in the bottom 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
20.4%
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Coronary heart disease
3.6%
in the bottom 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
4.1%
in the bottom 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Mammography
83.1%
in the top 2.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST38thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
6.9%
in the bottom 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Stroke
2.0%
in the bottom 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
35.6%
in the bottom 4.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, ZIP 02145, one of several in Somerville, Massachusetts lands in the top 14.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (4,508th) and the bottom 48% of Massachusetts (273rd).
Neither strongly one way nor the other, the measures sit mixed: walkability registers in the top 0.5% nationally, and modeled high blood pressure sits in the bottom 1.8% nationally. Modeled high cholesterol rests in the bottom 2.5% nationally, and coronary heart disease is in the bottom 2.3% nationally. Modeled hearing disability stands in the bottom 2.3% nationally, mammography settles in the top 2.3% nationally, and diabetes lies in the bottom 2.2% nationally. Modeled stroke resides in the bottom 2.3% nationally. Against that, modeled transportation noise lands in the top 2.5% nationally, and homeownership registers in the bottom 4.2% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 02129, 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 97%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Disability
healthier than 88%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 72%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 24%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 92%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 73%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 60%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 60%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 34%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 37%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 23%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 90%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 77%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 48%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 22%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 10%
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 13.2; chronic-disease standing 96.7 (top 10%) — 84 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,452 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
02143
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 67.25
Similar health profile
43212
Ohio99% similar profile
Score 65.28
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 | 17.2% | 15.8–18.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 22.4% | 20.6–24.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.1% | 4.7–5.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.8% | 10.7–13.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.5 |
| Depression among adults | 26.3% | 23.8–28.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 6.9% | 6.2–7.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 28.8% | 26.6–31.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 25.4% | 22.2–28.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.0% | 1.9–2.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.0% | 9.2–12.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.9% | 5.0–6.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 64.1% | 61.5–66.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.6% | 73.1–78.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 86.9% | 85.3–88.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.0% | 64.8–71.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.6% | 65.1–70.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 83.1% | 79.1–86.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 19.2% | 17.1–21.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.5% | 9.1–12.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.1% | 17.0–21.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.8% | 30.5–37.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.6% | 13.1–16.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.7% | 16.1–19.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 9.9% | 8.9–11.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.2% | 13.7–16.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 24.8% | 22.5–27.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.1% | 6.4–8.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.5% | 2.3–2.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.7% | 21.1–26.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.7% | 12.0–15.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.2% | 13.3–17.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.4–14.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.5% | 34.3–40.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.6% | 6.7–8.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 57.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 18.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 35.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 4.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 32.4% | 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+ | 11.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 33.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $123,755 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $828,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,398 | $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 | 79.8 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 79.8, 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