ZIP code
02451
in Waltham, MassachusettsPopulation 17,393
64.34/ 100
Ranked #2,275 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 7.1%)
Ranked #140 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 27%)
Ranked #123 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (top 44%)
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.
Mammography
84.1%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST56thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Obesity
24.7%
in the bottom 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST28thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Mental-health provider access
0.17 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics located 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 ›Recreation access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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 ›Elder-services access
0.22 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Pharmacy access
0.45 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies located 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 ›Physician access
2.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices located 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 ›Transit access
3.9 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›High blood pressure
28%
in the bottom 6.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$122,335
in the top 8.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST63rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›The read
ZIP 02451, one of several in Waltham, Massachusetts, by its composite score, sits in the top 7.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,275th) and the top 27% of Massachusetts (140th).
The data opens on a genuinely even set of readings: modeled mammography rests in the top 1.3% nationally, and obesity resides in the bottom 5.1% nationally. Mental-health providers is in the top 5.7% nationally, and recreation lands in the top 6.3% nationally. Elder services stands in the top 6.3% nationally, pharmacy registers in the top 6.5% nationally, and physicians settles in the top 6.9% nationally. Transit sits in the top 7.4% nationally, modeled high blood pressure lies in the bottom 6.1% nationally, and household income rests in the top 8.9% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 01773, 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 89%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 93%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 61%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 62%
8%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 58%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 36%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 39%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 72%
21%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 44%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 55%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 44%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 57%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 51%
8%
Disability
healthier than 51%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 60%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 40%
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
2 of our published findings list 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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 83.4 ± 1.8 years. A median household income of $122,335 predicts 80.9 years — 2.5 years above.
Ranked #628 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 32.3; chronic-disease standing 89.0 — 57 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #15,072 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
01773
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 69.59
Closest healthier
02421
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 74.06
Similar health profile
19348
Pennsylvania100% similar profile
Score 67.74
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 | 23.1% | 21.3–25.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 28.0% | 25.8–30.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.0% | 7.3–8.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 10.2–12.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.5–5.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.4 |
| Depression among adults | 23.8% | 21.6–26.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.7% | 7.7–9.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.8% | 32.3–37.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 24.7% | 21.5–28.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.6% | 2.4–2.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.0% | 7.4–10.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.5% | 3.7–5.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.0% | 70.4–75.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.8% | 77.5–82.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.5% | 89.3–91.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.5% | 69.5–75.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 72.5% | 70.2–74.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 84.1% | 80.3–87.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.5% | 14.7–18.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.6% | 8.2–11.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.1% | 16.7–21.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.0% | 28.8–35.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.0% | 12.5–15.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.6–16.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.3% | 9.2–11.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.5% | 11.2–14.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 24.6% | 22.2–27.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.7–5.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.7–7.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 9.8% | 8.6–11.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.6% | 2.3–2.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.9% | 19.5–24.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 8.9–12.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.6% | 9.9–13.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.9% | 8.6–11.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.9% | 6.1–7.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.3% | 31.2–37.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.1–6.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | 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+) | 5.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 56.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 38.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 59.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 29.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 52.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 18.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 40.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $122,335 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $753,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,677 | $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 | 83.4 yr ± 0.93 | 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 0.93 years of 83.4, 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