ZIP code
02842
in Middletown, Rhode IslandPopulation 16,832
63.10/ 100
Ranked #2,912 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 9.1%)
Ranked #24 of 77 Rhode Island ZIPs (top 31%)
Ranked #25 of 112 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA ZIPs (top 22%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
0.4 mi
in the bottom 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST20thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Mental-health provider access
0.18 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Transit access
4.8 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
74.9%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST51stUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Recreation access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST81stUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
0.99 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of dental 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 ›Mammography
81.7%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST14thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
29.4%
in the bottom 7.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Elder-services access
0.18 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
9.6%
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS82ndDefinition & 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 ›The read
On the composite measure, Middletown, Rhode Island (ZIP 02842) stands in the top 9.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,912th) and the top 31% of Rhode Island (24th).
Several of the strongest readings define how this area looks: mental-health providers lies in the top 5.3% nationally, and transit is in the top 5.4% nationally. Modeled colon screening registers in the top 3.2% nationally, and recreation lies in the top 6.3% nationally. Dental providers is in the top 6.9% nationally, modeled mammography registers in the top 4.7% nationally, and modeled short sleep lies in the bottom 7.1% nationally. Elder services is in the top 8.4% nationally. Modeled extreme heat registers at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. On the other hand, distance to a Superfund site lies in the bottom 5.2% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. ZIP 02840, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 77%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 85%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 70%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 60%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 67%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 98%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 72%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Disability
healthier than 55%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 34%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 97%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 90%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 81%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 49%
13%
Disability
healthier than 58%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 53%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
“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 what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 78.4 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $101,948 predicts 80.2 years — 1.8 years below.
Ranked #2,288 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
02840
Rhode Islandshares a border
Score 63.59
Closest healthier
02871
Rhode Islandshares a border
Score 67.15
Similar health profile
13027
New York99% similar profile
Score 60.58
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 | 27.6% | 25.0–30.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.3% | 31.1–38.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.3% | 9.4–11.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.8–12.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.3% | 5.6–7.2 |
| Depression among adults | 22.9% | 20.0–26.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.9% | 33.5–41.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 28.3% | 23.6–34.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.1% | 8.2–12.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.0% | 5.1–7.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.6% | 75.0–80.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 84.8% | 82.2–87.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.1% | 88.8–91.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 74.9% | 71.2–78.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 75.5% | 72.7–78.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.7% | 76.3–86.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.7% | 15.2–21.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.2% | 8.6–12.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.0% | 17.8–24.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 29.4% | 25.2–34.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.3% | 13.4–17.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.7% | 13.1–16.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.9% | 10.5–13.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.3–13.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 24.0% | 21.1–27.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.5% | 10.0–13.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 18.5% | 15.8–21.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.0–12.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 8.1–11.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 7.9–10.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–7.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.8% | 26.9–34.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 5.2–7.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | RI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (0.0–17.9%) n=77 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 9.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 3.7% (0.0–9.3%) n=77 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (1.2–17.4%) n=77 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 47.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.8% (20.4–68.2%) n=77 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–8.3%) n=77 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.1%) n=77 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (87.7–100.0%) n=77 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 38.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 29.7% (18.9–42.2%) n=77 |
| Homeownership rate | 57.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.7% (38.8–95.1%) n=77 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.5% (0.0–4.1%) n=77 |
| Foreign-born population | 10.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.9% (1.6–20.3%) n=77 |
| Single-parent households | 51.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.0% (35.9–70.5%) n=75 |
| Population 65+ | 22.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.1% (10.7–35.3%) n=77 |
| Median age | 43.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.0 yr (34.6–53.3) n=76 |
| Median household income | $101,948 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $102,118 ($62,908–$137,181) n=71 |
| Median home value | $563,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $411,900 ($336,020–$633,580) n=73 |
| Median gross rent | $1,990 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,374 ($1,168–$1,781) n=59 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | RI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 78.4 yr ± 0.60 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 80.2 yr (77.8–83.6) n=72 |
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 0.60 years of 78.4, 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