ZIP code
04088
in Waterford, MainePopulation 1,269
47.32/ 100
Ranked #19,770 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 38%)
Ranked #226 of 408 Maine ZIPs (bottom 45%)
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 hazardous-chemical facility
18 mi
in the top 5.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST88thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest facility that handles enough hazardous chemicals to require an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
73.7%
in the top 7.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Civic-institution access
0.65 per 1,000 residents
in the top 8.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Slow internet speeds
1.3%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST89thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of homes whose fastest available download speed is under 10 Mbps.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
5.1%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST57thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
31.5 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 12.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
2.5 pCi/L
in the top 21% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS79thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
0.27%
in the top 32% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS68thDefinition & source ›
The share of days in the year when modeled fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution was above the EPA’s daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Waterford, Maine (ZIP 04088) ranks in the bottom 38% nationally (19,770th) and the bottom 45% of Maine (226th).
A number of measures pull each way for this area: distance to a hazardous-chemical facility resides in the top 5.9% nationally, and modeled tree cover registers in the top 7.4% nationally. Civic rests in the top 8.6% nationally. Modeled extreme heat stands at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled loud transportation noise lies at the national minimum, shared with about 22% of ZIPs. Modeled mammography lands in the top 11.7% nationally. Crowded housing sits at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs. Set against that, slow internet speeds is in the top 9.0% nationally, and modeled energy burden settles in the top 8.2% nationally. Fatal road crashes resides in the top 12.1% nationally.
To spell things out, distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. Energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. Close by, ZIP 04009, just across the boundary, ranks 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 73%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 68%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 74%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 16%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 19%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Disability
healthier than 36%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 20%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 61%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 65%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 49%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 42%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 18%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 31%
16%
Disability
healthier than 26%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 25%
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.
Clean environment, heavy chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 73.1; chronic-disease standing 15.8 — 57 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #1,931 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
04009
Maineshares a border
Score 49.20
Closest healthier
04040
Maineshares a border
Score 47.91
Similar health profile
49332
Michigan97% similar profile
Score 47.26
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 | 36.3% | 33.5–39.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.6% | 35.6–42.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.1% | 10.0–12.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 13.2% | 11.9–14.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 9.1% | 7.9–10.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.4% | 8.5–12.5 |
| Depression among adults | 25.7% | 23.0–29.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.7% | 11.8–15.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.1% | 39.0–45.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.4% | 30.3–39.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 3.8–5.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 19.8% | 16.6–23.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.1% | 6.0–10.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.7% | 75.8–81.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.3% | 79.7–84.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.9% | 85.9–89.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.2% | 64.1–72.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 61.8% | 58.6–65.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.9% | 74.6–84.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.0% | 12.8–17.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.5% | 13.1–20.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 24.1% | 20.2–28.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.7% | 28.5–36.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 21.4% | 17.9–25.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.9% | 14.9–19.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.4% | 14.1–19.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.9% | 13.4–18.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.8% | 28.6–37.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.5% | 8.4–10.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.2% | 7.7–11.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.2% | 13.4–19.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.6–5.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.4–6.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.2% | 20.0–26.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 9.8–16.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 17.0% | 13.3–21.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 8.9–13.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 6.9–9.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.1% | 27.6–35.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.0–10.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | ME median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 16.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 10.3% (3.2–19.5%) n=416 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 9.8% (3.0–20.9%) n=413 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.2% (0.8–11.7%) n=417 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 30.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 29.4% (14.9–57.3%) n=417 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.1% (0.0–8.3%) n=415 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.7% (0.0–11.5%) n=416 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 89.9% (79.7–97.2%) n=416 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 23.4% (13.9–35.0%) n=416 |
| Homeownership rate | 88.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 84.7% (68.7–95.5%) n=416 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.8% (0.0–3.4%) n=416 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 2.1% (0.1–5.9%) n=417 |
| Single-parent households | 59.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 61.5% (48.8–80.6%) n=414 |
| Population 65+ | 27.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 24.6% (16.3–42.1%) n=417 |
| Median age | 54.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 49.0 yr (39.3–60.7) n=413 |
| Median household income | $63,750 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $68,485 ($50,225–$100,018) n=396 |
| Median home value | $276,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $246,500 ($130,660–$484,830) n=402 |
| Median gross rent | $870 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,014 ($618–$1,501) n=320 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | ME median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 78.9 yr ± 2.22 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 79.0 yr (76.1–82.5) n=363 |
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 2.22 years of 78.9, 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