ZIP code
02909
in Providence, Rhode IslandPopulation 46,014
47.27/ 100
Ranked #19,837 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 38%)
Ranked #73 of 77 Rhode Island ZIPs (bottom 5.2%)
Ranked #100 of 112 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA ZIPs (bottom 10.8%)
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.
Walkability
280 intersections/sq mi
in the top 0.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
1,223 units
in the top 1.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
27.9%
in the top 2.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
40.8%
in the top 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
29.9%
in the bottom 3.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
18.9%
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
33.3%
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
16.4%
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
39.8%
in the bottom 5.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST11thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
15.5%
in the top 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, ZIP 02909, one of several in Providence, Rhode Island comes out in the bottom 38% nationally (19,837th) and the bottom 5.2% of Rhode Island (73rd).
The data is direct about where this area carries real strain: modeled housing insecurity resides in the top 2.5% nationally, loneliness rests in the top 3.0% nationally, and uninsured lies in the top 5.5% nationally. Modeled food insecurity sits in the top 4.3% nationally, modeled utility shutoff settles in the top 5.2% nationally, and homeownership registers in the bottom 5.3% nationally. Modeled transportation stands in the top 5.7% nationally. More encouragingly, walkability lands in the top 0.9% nationally, and subsidized affordable housing is in the top 1.0% nationally. Modeled high cholesterol resides in the bottom 3.3% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 02903, 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 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 81%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 9%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 10%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 27%
8%
Disability
healthier than 31%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 77%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 86%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 3%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 81%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 4%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Disability
healthier than 11%
7%
“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
2 of our published findings list 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 77.3 ± 1.5 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.0 years — 2.7 years below them.
Ranked #2,079 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 10.3; chronic-disease standing 80.9 — 71 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,444 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
02903
Rhode Islandshares a border
Score 57.54
Closest healthier
02908
Rhode Islandshares a border
Score 51.22
Similar health profile
17090
Pennsylvania95% similar profile
Score 49.43
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 | 18.5% | 16.7–20.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.0% | 27.4–32.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.1% | 11.0–13.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.8–5.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.4 |
| Depression among adults | 22.4% | 19.8–25.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.9% | 11.6–14.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 29.9% | 27.2–32.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.0% | 33.1–43.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.8–3.2 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.2% | 13.8–18.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 18.9% | 16.6–21.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.8% | 68.2–73.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.2% | 77.3–82.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 84.2% | 82.3–86.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.2% | 57.2–65.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.1% | 53.5–60.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.6% | 76.9–85.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.5% | 14.4–18.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.9% | 12.2–15.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 36.5% | 32.6–40.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.7% | 37.1–46.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.5% | 23.1–27.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.0% | 18.1–21.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.5% | 14.1–17.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 19.1% | 17.2–21.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.5% | 30.2–36.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.9–6.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.5–11.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.2% | 12.8–15.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.6–5.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.5–8.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.1% | 25.1–31.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 33.3% | 30.5–36.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 29.0% | 25.9–32.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 27.9% | 25.4–30.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 15.5% | 14.0–17.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 40.8% | 37.3–44.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 16.4% | 14.7–18.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | RI median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 24.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (0.0–17.9%) n=77 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 10.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 3.7% (0.0–9.3%) n=77 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 19.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.9% (1.2–17.4%) n=77 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.8% (20.4–68.2%) n=77 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 11.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.5% (0.0–8.3%) n=77 |
| Households without a vehicle | 14.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.0–15.1%) n=77 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (87.7–100.0%) n=77 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 42.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 29.7% (18.9–42.2%) n=77 |
| Homeownership rate | 39.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.7% (38.8–95.1%) n=77 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 7.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.5% (0.0–4.1%) n=77 |
| Foreign-born population | 37.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.9% (1.6–20.3%) n=77 |
| Single-parent households | 32.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 56.0% (35.9–70.5%) n=75 |
| Population 65+ | 8.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.1% (10.7–35.3%) n=77 |
| Median age | 32.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.0 yr (34.6–53.3) n=76 |
| Median household income | $64,649 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $102,118 ($62,908–$137,181) n=71 |
| Median home value | $325,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $411,900 ($336,020–$633,580) n=73 |
| Median gross rent | $1,366 | $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 | 77.3 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 77.3, 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