ZIP code
02215
in Boston, MassachusettsPopulation 24,581
58.73/ 100
Ranked #5,804 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 18%)
Ranked #325 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (bottom 38%)
Ranked #210 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (bottom 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.
High cholesterol
20%
in the bottom 1.0% 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 ›High blood pressure
13.7%
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 high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Obesity
17.8%
in the bottom 0.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
10.4%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
3.3%
in the bottom 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
1.9%
in the bottom 1.0% 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 ›Transportation noise
55.3%
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 ›Stroke
1.0%
in the bottom 0.9% 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 ›Binge drinking
23%
in the top 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›The read
In its overall standing, ZIP 02215, one of several in Boston, Massachusetts lands in the top 18% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,804th) and the bottom 38% of Massachusetts (325th).
This area's measures are easy to read as a mixed set: modeled high cholesterol resides in the bottom 1.0% nationally, high blood pressure settles in the bottom 0.6% nationally, and obesity is in the bottom 0.4% nationally. Modeled diabetes sits in the bottom 0.9% nationally, coronary heart disease lands in the bottom 1.0% nationally, and stroke lies in the bottom 0.9% nationally. Walkability stands in the top 0.5% nationally. Set against that, modeled loud transportation noise rests in the top 0.3% nationally, and transportation noise registers in the top 0.4% nationally. Modeled binge drinking resides in the top 1.2% nationally.
Against the wider neighborhood, loud transportation noise runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put simply, loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. On the overall standing, ZIP 02116, just across the boundary, ranks healthier.
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 0.7%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 63%
11%
Disability
healthier than 91%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 44%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 98%
21%
Disability
healthier than 68%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 25%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 3%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 2%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 98%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 58%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 2%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 13%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.8%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 24%
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 12.1; chronic-disease standing 99.3 (top 1%) — 87 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,708 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
02115
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 55.89
Closest healthier
02116
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 66.52
Similar health profile
35229
Alabama99% similar profile
Score 59.74
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 | 8.1% | 7.2–9.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 13.7% | 12.2–15.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 2.2% | 2.1–2.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.7% | 10.6–13.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 1.9% | 1.7–2.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 2.7% | 2.4–3.1 |
| Depression among adults | 27.8% | 25.2–30.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 20.0% | 18.1–22.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 17.8% | 15.2–20.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 1.0% | 1.0–1.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.8% | 10.8–15.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.9% | 4.2–5.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 47.0% | 44.6–49.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.1% | 70.1–76.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 77.9% | 75.3–80.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.5% | 61.0–68.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.4% | 58.7–64.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.8% | 78.3–86.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 23.0% | 20.4–25.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.2% | 7.1–9.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.2% | 16.8–21.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.7% | 29.4–36.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.8% | 11.4–14.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 22.1% | 20.1–24.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 18.2% | 16.3–20.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 23.9% | 21.3–26.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.1–5.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 1.7% | 1.5–1.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.7% | 22.5–28.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.6% | 15.3–20.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 18.4% | 15.9–20.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.8% | 11.8–15.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.6% | 11.0–14.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 45.4% | 41.3–49.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.5–9.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 28.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 82.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 58.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 51.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 8.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 27.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 68.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 4.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 21.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $72,095 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $750,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,443 | $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 unavailable for this ZIP — fewer than 80% of the census tracts that make it up could be matched across the 2010→2020 tract-boundary revision, so no value is published rather than an unreliable one. See how coverage gaps are handled. | |||
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