ZIP code
02891
in Westerly, Rhode IslandPopulation 21,587
62.62/ 100
Ranked #3,170 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 9.9%)
Ranked #27 of 77 Rhode Island ZIPs (top 35%)
Ranked #28 of 112 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA ZIPs (top 25%)
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.
Colon-cancer screening
76.5%
in the top 1.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST82ndUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Mammography
83.4%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST35thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›PFOA in drinking water
94.8%
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & 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
94.8%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Physician access
1.8 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
3.6%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Floodplain exposure
30.6%
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Lead in tap water
5.1 ppb
in the top 9.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
US90thDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
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 ›Grocery access
0.14 per 1,000 residents
in the top 13.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & 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 ›Uninsured (under 65)
5.4%
in the bottom 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST51stUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›The read
Westerly, Rhode Island (ZIP 02891), overall, ranks in the top 9.9% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,170th) and the top 35% of Rhode Island (27th).
This area's strengths are easy to pick out across the measures: modeled colon screening registers in the top 1.4% nationally, and mammography resides in the top 1.9% nationally. Distance to an emergency room settles at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Physicians is in the top 8.7% nationally. Modeled extreme heat sits at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Working the other way, PFOA in drinking water lands in the top 6.5% nationally, and PFOS in drinking water lies in the top 6.8% nationally. Outer-floodplain exposure stands in the top 9.5% nationally, and floodplain exposure rests in the top 9.8% nationally. Lead in tap water registers in the top 9.8% nationally.
Measured against the nearby ZIPs, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, 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. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. ZIP 02808, just across the boundary, comes out healthier 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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 66%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 69%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 99%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 80%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 28%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 94%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 75%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 91%
8%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
in the bottom 0.00%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 89%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 83%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 89%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 93%
8%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 46%
21%
Disability
healthier than 48%
7%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 5%
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
02804
Rhode Islandshares a border
Score 62.07
Closest healthier
02808
Rhode Islandshares a border
Score 65.22
Similar health profile
01938
Massachusetts98% similar profile
Score 64.00
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 | 29.2% | 26.2–32.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.7% | 32.2–38.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.9% | 9.9–11.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.6–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.0% | 6.1–8.0 |
| Depression among adults | 21.6% | 18.5–24.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.9% | 8.6–11.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.1% | 32.4–39.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 28.1% | 23.2–33.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.4% | 8.3–12.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.4% | 4.4–6.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.9% | 77.0–82.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 86.1% | 83.4–88.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.9% | 89.4–92.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 76.5% | 72.6–80.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 73.5% | 70.3–76.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 83.4% | 78.3–87.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.2% | 13.6–18.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.7% | 9.0–12.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.9% | 16.8–23.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.4% | 27.8–37.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.5% | 12.6–16.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.2% | 12.6–15.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.3% | 10.8–13.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.7% | 10.2–13.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.5% | 22.3–28.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.6–8.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.1–7.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.0–13.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.5 |
| 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 | 18.5% | 15.8–21.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.3% | 7.7–11.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.6% | 7.1–10.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.8% | 6.6–9.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.5% | 24.8–32.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.6–6.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | RI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (0.0–17.9%) n=77 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 3.7% (0.0–9.3%) n=77 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (1.2–17.4%) n=77 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 46.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.8% (20.4–68.2%) n=77 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–8.3%) n=77 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.1%) n=77 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (87.7–100.0%) n=77 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 29.7% (18.9–42.2%) n=77 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.7% (38.8–95.1%) n=77 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.5% (0.0–4.1%) n=77 |
| Foreign-born population | 5.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.9% (1.6–20.3%) n=77 |
| Single-parent households | 60.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.0% (35.9–70.5%) n=75 |
| Population 65+ | 27.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.1% (10.7–35.3%) n=77 |
| Median age | 53.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.0 yr (34.6–53.3) n=76 |
| Median household income | $97,110 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $102,118 ($62,908–$137,181) n=71 |
| Median home value | $470,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $411,900 ($336,020–$633,580) n=73 |
| Median gross rent | $1,266 | $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 | 79.8 yr ± 0.76 | 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 0.76 years of 79.8, 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