ZIP code
02163
in Boston, MassachusettsPopulation 1,817
64.77/ 100
Ranked #2,093 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 6.6%)
Ranked #130 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 25%)
Ranked #115 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (top 41%)
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 cholesterol
18.6%
in the bottom 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Binge drinking
26.6%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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
11.8%
in the bottom 0.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
1.1%
in the bottom 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
2.3%
in the bottom 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Stroke
0.70%
in the bottom 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Obesity
19%
in the bottom 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
2.8%
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
2.1%
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 02163, one of several in Boston, Massachusetts, in overall standing, comes out in the top 6.6% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,093rd) and the top 25% of Massachusetts (130th).
A balanced showing across the data, with a few readings each side: modeled high cholesterol is in the bottom 0.9% nationally, high blood pressure lies in the bottom 0.4% nationally, and coronary heart disease registers in the bottom 0.5% nationally. Modeled diabetes is in the bottom 0.6% nationally, stroke lies in the bottom 0.6% nationally, and obesity registers in the bottom 0.7% nationally. Modeled mobility disability is in the bottom 0.3% nationally, and hearing disability lies in the bottom 0.3% nationally. On the other hand, modeled binge drinking registers in the top 0.3% nationally, and homeownership is at the national minimum.
Set within its surrounding area, households without a vehicle runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 02134, 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
in the top 0.3%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 68%
11%
Disability
in the top 0.5%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 87%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 28%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
in the top 0.3%
21%
Disability
healthier than 99%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 94%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 16%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
in the top 0.4%
21%
Disability
healthier than 98%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 94%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 10%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 17%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 6%
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 12.1; chronic-disease standing 99.8 (top 1%) — 88 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,741 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
02134
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 65.31
Closest healthier
02138
Massachusettsless than 0.1 mi away
Score 68.48
Similar health profile
21231
Maryland98% similar profile
Score 57.84
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 | 5.9% | 5.0–6.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 11.8% | 10.2–13.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 1.5% | 1.3–1.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.2–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 1.1% | 1.0–1.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 1.8% | 1.4–2.3 |
| Depression among adults | 25.2% | 22.3–28.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 2.3% | 1.9–2.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 18.6% | 16.5–21.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 19.0% | 15.8–22.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 0.7% | 0.6–0.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.1% | 6.6–9.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.7% | 3.6–6.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 34.7% | 31.0–38.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 70.7% | 67.2–74.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 82.1% | 79.0–85.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.1% | 65.7–72.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.9% | 61.1–66.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 84.9% | 80.8–88.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 26.6% | 23.7–29.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 7.6% | 5.3–10.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 16.2% | 12.9–20.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.2% | 28.9–35.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 9.9% | 7.9–12.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.0% | 16.0–22.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 6.7% | 5.5–8.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.0% | 11.2–17.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 18.1% | 14.7–21.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 2.1% | 1.8–2.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.3–6.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 2.8% | 2.3–3.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 1.2% | 1.0–1.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.6% | 2.1–3.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.0% | 22.2–30.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.5% | 9.8–17.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.3% | 9.3–17.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.4% | 10.2–16.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 7.5–11.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 42.9% | 38.8–47.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.8% | 6.0–9.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 33.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 0.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 94.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 69.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 58.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 41.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 0.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 10.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 28.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 21.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 0.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 22.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $84,583 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | — | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $3,501 | $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 | 79.1 yr ± 1.51 | 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 1.51 years of 79.1, 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