ZIP code
02492
in Needham, MassachusettsPopulation 21,424
72.42/ 100
Ranked #225 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 0.8%)
Ranked #10 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 1.9%)
Ranked #10 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (top 3.6%)
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.
Median household income
$226,645
in the top 0.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
5.1%
in the bottom 0.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Mammography
87%
in the top 0.05% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
5.0%
in the bottom 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Obesity
21.3%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
3.9%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
3.4%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›PFOS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
10.1%
in the bottom 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›The read
Needham, Massachusetts (ZIP 02492), in overall standing, comes out in the top 0.8% healthiest ZIPs nationally (225th) and the top 1.9% of Massachusetts (10th).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: household income lands in the top 0.7% nationally, modeled food insecurity rests in the bottom 0.5% nationally, and modeled mammography settles in the top 0.05% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity lands in the bottom 0.7% nationally, obesity rests in the bottom 1.5% nationally, and transportation settles in the bottom 1.3% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff lands in the bottom 1.3% nationally, and fair or poor health rests in the bottom 0.9% nationally. Pulling the other way, PFOA in drinking water settles at the national maximum, and PFOS in drinking water lands at the national maximum.
Set within its surrounding area, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. PFOS in drinking water is a common one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 02030, 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 90%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 97%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 61%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 98%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Disability
healthier than 98%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 49%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 56%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 82%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 93%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 81%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 94%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 95%
8%
Disability
healthier than 92%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 33%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 31%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 75%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 90%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 89%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 95%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 94%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 94%
8%
Disability
healthier than 90%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 32%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 36%
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 85.5 ± 1.7 years. A median household income of $226,645 predicts 83.3 years — 2.1 years above.
Ranked #859 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 85.5 ± 1.7 years. The 45 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 82.8 years — 2.7 years above them.
Ranked #1,034 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
02026
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 63.68
Closest healthier
02030
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 73.51
Similar health profile
01720
Massachusetts100% similar profile
Score 70.94
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 | 26.2% | 23.8–28.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.0% | 26.2–31.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.7% | 9.8–11.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.2–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.0% | 3.4–4.7 |
| Depression among adults | 21.2% | 18.7–23.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 7.8% | 6.8–9.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.0% | 33.9–40.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 21.3% | 17.9–24.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.4% | 2.2–2.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 4.1% | 3.3–5.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 2.3% | 1.8–2.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.6% | 74.5–80.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 83.3% | 80.9–85.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 93.4% | 92.4–94.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.2% | 68.8–75.4 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 80.6% | 78.4–82.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 87.0% | 83.0–90.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.1% | 14.8–19.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 6.3% | 5.2–7.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 13.0% | 10.9–15.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.3% | 24.8–31.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 10.1% | 8.7–11.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 12.3% | 10.9–13.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 9.4% | 8.2–10.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 9.3% | 8.1–10.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 20.5% | 18.0–23.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.0–5.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 8.3% | 7.1–9.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.0% | 1.7–2.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.5% | 2.2–2.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 18.4% | 16.0–20.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.1–6.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.3–6.8 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 5.0% | 4.1–6.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 3.9% | 3.3–4.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.3% | 25.9–32.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 3.4% | 2.9–4.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 0.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 85.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 12.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 45.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 17.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 43.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $226,645 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $1,218,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $2,070 | $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 | 85.5 yr ± 0.87 | 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 0.87 years of 85.5, 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