ZIP code
02538
in East Wareham, MassachusettsPopulation 4,074
55.64/ 100
Ranked #8,694 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 27%)
Ranked #400 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (bottom 24%)
Ranked #242 of 281 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ZIPs (bottom 13.9%)
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.
PFAS in drinking water
73.4%
in the top 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS97thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Outer-floodplain exposure
8.2%
in the top 4.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Mammography
82.7%
in the top 2.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST32ndUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.23 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Median household income
$123,750
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST64thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
4.7%
in the bottom 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST76thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Unemployment rate
0.60%
in the bottom 16% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS16thDefinition & source ›
The share of the civilian labor force that is unemployed.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.6%
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS17thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Distance to an emergency room
9.6 mi
in the top 27% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS73rdDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›The read
East Wareham, Massachusetts (ZIP 02538), by its composite score, sits in the top 27% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,694th) and the bottom 24% of Massachusetts (400th).
Where the data is kindest to this area, a few readings lead the way: modeled mammography registers in the top 2.8% nationally, and grocery settles in the top 5.9% nationally. Household income sits in the top 8.5% nationally, and poverty lies in the bottom 10.9% nationally. Park land rests in the top 11.1% nationally, home broadband subscription resides in the top 12.5% nationally, and subsidized affordable housing is in the top 13.7% nationally. On the other hand, modeled pfas lands in the top 3.5% nationally, outer-floodplain exposure stands in the top 4.6% nationally, and floodplain exposure registers in the top 12.0% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Outer-floodplain exposure is land with a lower but real 1-in-500 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "500-year floodplain". Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 02360, 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 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 86%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 61%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 92%
13%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 53%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 17%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 68%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 80%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 31%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 33%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 15%
8%
Disability
healthier than 27%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 14%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 28%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 88%
14%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 56%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 41%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 13%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 10%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 17%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 12%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 32%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
02360
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 60.45
Closest healthier
02532
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 59.31
Similar health profile
28342
North Carolina97% similar profile
Score 53.25
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 | 27.1% | 24.3–29.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.1% | 27.8–34.0 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.0% | 8.2–9.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 13.0% | 11.5–14.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.3–6.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.1% | 6.1–8.1 |
| Depression among adults | 26.3% | 23.1–29.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.0% | 8.6–11.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.5% | 34.1–40.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 30.3% | 25.4–34.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.8–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.9% | 9.1–13.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.7% | 3.8–5.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.2% | 71.7–77.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.6% | 77.5–83.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.8% | 88.1–91.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.6% | 68.2–75.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.9% | 67.2–73.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.7% | 78.2–87.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 18.3% | 15.6–20.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.0% | 11.8–16.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.1% | 17.8–24.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.1% | 32.3–40.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.8% | 14.5–19.2 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.9% | 16.8–21.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.9% | 12.3–15.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.6% | 13.7–17.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.9% | 27.2–34.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.6% | 5.7–7.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.8% | 6.8–8.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.3% | 10.6–14.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.7% | 21.7–28.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.2% | 10.1–14.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.0% | 11.6–16.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.8% | 10.0–13.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.5–8.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.8% | 31.0–38.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.1–8.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 24.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.2% | 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 | 0.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 70.7% | 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 | 41.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $123,750 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $392,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $1,407 | $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 | 73.4 yr ± 1.29 | 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 1.29 years of 73.4, 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