ZIP code
02542
in Buzzards Bay, MassachusettsPopulation 882
62.50/ 100
Ranked #3,224 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 10.1%)
Ranked #198 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (top 38%)
Ranked #28 of 47 Barnstable Town, MA ZIPs (bottom 40%)
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
22.4%
in the bottom 1.1% 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
24.5%
in the top 0.7% 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 ›Slow internet speeds
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
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 ›High blood pressure
20%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.
Full methodology ›Civic-institution access
2.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Diabetes
4.4%
in the bottom 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
2.6%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Stroke
1.4%
in the bottom 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Outpatient-care access
1.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient 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 ›The read
ZIP 02542, one of several in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, overall, ranks in the top 10.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,224th) and the top 38% of Massachusetts (198th).
Reading the numbers as a whole, the picture lands somewhere in between: modeled high cholesterol is in the bottom 1.1% nationally, modeled high blood pressure sits in the bottom 1.3% nationally, and civic lands in the top 0.7% nationally. Modeled diabetes lies in the bottom 1.1% nationally, outpatient stands in the top 1.2% nationally, and modeled mobility disability rests in the bottom 1.1% nationally. Modeled hearing disability registers in the bottom 1.2% nationally. On the other side, modeled binge drinking resides in the top 0.7% nationally, and slow internet speeds settles at the national maximum. Homeownership is at the national minimum.
Measured against the nearby ZIPs, slow internet speeds runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. ZIP 02534, just across the boundary, comes out healthier overall. This area also sits on the healthier half of the national range on at least seven of the ten good-life measures tracked here, from quiet and green space to nearby care, a combination reached by about one in twenty-five US ZIP codes.
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 Barnstable Town, MA 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 99%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 82%
14%
Disability
healthier than 96%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 96%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 49%
16%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 39%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 97%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 93%
14%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the top 0.3%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 18%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
in the top 0.00%
21%
Disability
in the top 0.00%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 97%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Preventive Care
in the bottom 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the bottom 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
in the bottom 0.00%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
02532
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 59.31
Closest healthier
02534
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 63.64
Similar health profile
02841
Rhode Island98% similar profile
Score 64.35
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 | 13.6% | 11.8–15.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 20.0% | 17.3–22.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.6–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 2.6% | 2.2–2.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.1% | 2.6–3.8 |
| Depression among adults | 25.0% | 21.5–28.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 4.4% | 3.7–5.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 22.4% | 19.5–25.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 27.4% | 22.3–32.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 1.4% | 1.2–1.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.6% | 9.1–14.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.0% | 4.5–8.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 55.9% | 51.9–59.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 73.7% | 69.7–77.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.0% | 81.1–86.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.3% | 57.3–67.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.6% | 66.2–73.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 83.3% | 77.2–88.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 24.5% | 20.8–28.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.3% | 9.2–15.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 15.3% | 12.1–18.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.8% | 30.4–41.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.4% | 10.1–15.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.1% | 16.4–21.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 9.5% | 8.1–11.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.1% | 12.4–18.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 21.8% | 18.0–25.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 3.4% | 2.9–3.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.0% | 4.9–7.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.5–6.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 1.9% | 1.6–2.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.5–3.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.4% | 23.2–31.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.4% | 9.6–15.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.2% | 9.9–16.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 10.4–15.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 6.8–9.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.1% | 32.3–41.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 6.7–9.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 0.8% | 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+) | 4.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 42.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 45.7% (23.6–77.5%) n=526 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–7.9%) n=523 |
| Households without a vehicle | 11.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 97.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 39.0% | 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) | 3.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 17.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 34.2% | 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 | 30.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $62,083 | $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 | $2,094 | $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 | 87.3 yr ± 2.68 | 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 2.68 years of 87.3, 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