ZIP code
02744
in New Bedford, MassachusettsPopulation 12,716
37.64/ 100
Ranked #28,222 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 12.0%)
Ranked #520 of 527 Massachusetts ZIPs (bottom 1.4%)
Ranked #110 of 112 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA ZIPs (bottom 1.8%)
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.
Cognitive disability
21.9%
in the top 4.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
34.4%
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
47.5%
in the top 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
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 ›Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were 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 ›Walkability
150 intersections/sq mi
in the top 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
23.2%
in the top 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
25.2%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
1.6 per 100,000 residents per year
in the bottom 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST14thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.23 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.7% 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 ›Cross-source signals
Combined exposures in this ZIP
More than one environmental exposure stands out in this ZIP. Each is established independently and shown on its own above; they are grouped here for context — not because one causes the other.
This area ranks among the highest 10% of US ZIP codes for both flood exposure and the share of households without a vehicle.
See the full flooding, evacuation & humid-heat analysis →
The read
Overall, ZIP 02744, one of several in New Bedford, Massachusetts lands in the bottom 12.0% nationally (28,222nd) and the bottom 1.4% of Massachusetts (520th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: walkability lies in the top 5.3% nationally, and fatal road crashes lands in the bottom 5.6% nationally. Grocery sits in the top 5.7% nationally. On the other side, modeled cognitive disability is in the top 4.1% nationally, homeownership settles in the bottom 4.0% nationally, and floodplain exposure resides in the top 4.4% nationally. Modeled tree cover registers at the national minimum, PFAS in drinking water rests at the national maximum, and modeled housing insecurity stands in the top 5.4% nationally. Modeled tooth loss lies in the top 7.0% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 02719, just across the boundary, ranks better overall.
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 85%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 37%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 3%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 7%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Disability
healthier than 13%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 14%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 94%
14%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 8%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 5%
8%
Disability
healthier than 4%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 3%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 98%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 7%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 2%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Disability
healthier than 5%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 1%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 31%
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.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 76.6 ± 2.1 years. The 45 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.4 years — 3.9 years below them.
Ranked #2,948 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
02719
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 54.11
Closest healthier
02740
Massachusettsshares a border
Score 37.77
Similar health profile
48724
Michigan98% similar profile
Score 34.95
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 | 26.9% | 24.6–29.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.7% | 30.9–36.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.2% | 6.5–7.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 13.6% | 12.3–15.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.7 |
| Depression among adults | 25.4% | 22.5–28.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.6% | 11.1–14.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.5% | 32.5–38.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.5% | 31.9–41.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 25.2% | 21.5–29.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.9% | 11.1–14.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 71.9% | 69.0–74.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.2% | 76.4–81.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.6% | 82.7–86.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 60.5% | 56.5–64.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 54.2% | 51.1–57.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.9% | 72.1–82.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.6% | 14.3–19.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 21.5% | 19.0–24.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 33.1% | 29.4–36.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.1% | 35.0–43.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 28.8% | 25.9–31.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 22.2% | 20.2–24.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 18.3% | 16.4–20.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 21.9% | 19.7–24.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 38.6% | 35.0–42.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.4–14.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.9% | 15.9–19.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.4–6.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.4–8.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 29.1% | 26.1–32.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 28.3% | 25.4–31.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 33.4% | 30.5–36.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 23.2% | 20.7–25.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 15.0% | 13.5–16.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.4% | 33.9–41.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 14.9% | 13.2–16.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MA median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.4% (2.6–16.9%) n=524 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 2.4% (0.0–6.3%) n=525 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 26.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.7% (1.1–15.2%) n=526 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 15.7% | 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 | 14.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.6% (0.4–20.2%) n=522 |
| Broadband subscription | 81.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.1% (87.2–98.4%) n=522 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 42.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 30.5% (21.2–43.7%) n=522 |
| Homeownership rate | 34.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 79.1% (39.6–93.5%) n=522 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.1% (0.0–3.8%) n=522 |
| Foreign-born population | 23.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 8.7% (1.9–28.4%) n=527 |
| Single-parent households | 37.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 52.5% (40.0–68.7%) n=520 |
| Population 65+ | 13.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.4% (12.1–33.8%) n=527 |
| Median age | 34.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.3–57.2) n=524 |
| Median household income | $58,675 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $110,450 ($68,196–$177,335) n=505 |
| Median home value | $372,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $519,200 ($297,220–$949,670) n=508 |
| Median gross rent | $1,224 | $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 | 76.6 yr ± 1.05 | 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 1.05 years of 76.6, 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