ZIP code
06278
in Ashford, ConnecticutPopulation 4,337
60.99/ 100
Ranked #4,131 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 12.9%)
Ranked #158 of 277 Connecticut ZIPs (bottom 43%)
Ranked #27 of 112 Worcester, MA-CT ZIPs (top 24%)
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.
Expected annual disaster loss
$0
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Elder-services access
0.23 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Home broadband subscription
99%
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
74.2%
in the top 4.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST55thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
71.4%
in the top 8.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$121,875
in the top 9.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST67thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
14.5%
in the top 10.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility
10.4 mi
in the top 13.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS87thDefinition & 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 ›Humid extreme heat
25.1 days/year
in the bottom 22% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS22ndDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, Ashford, Connecticut (ZIP 06278) stands in the top 12.9% healthiest ZIPs nationally (4,131st) and the bottom 43% of Connecticut (158th), based on limited data; treat as directional.
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: modeled expected annual loss registers at the national minimum, and elder services lies in the top 6.0% nationally. Home broadband subscription is in the top 6.0% nationally, and modeled colon screening registers in the top 4.4% nationally. Modeled tree cover lies in the top 8.5% nationally. Modeled extreme heat is at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Household income registers in the top 9.0% nationally. Distance to a community health center lies at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled fair or poor health is in the bottom 10.3% nationally. By contrast, modeled arsenic registers in the top 10.5% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. ZIP 06250, less than a tenth of a mile away, 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 Worcester, MA-CT 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 72%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 67%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 70%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 62%
8%
Disability
healthier than 87%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 95%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 95%
14%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 49%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 39%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 37%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 29%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 72%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 96%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 61%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 65%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 42%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 51%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
06076
Connecticutshares a border
Score 60.70
Closest healthier
06250
Connecticutless than 0.1 mi away
Score 63.77
Similar health profile
06370
Connecticut99% similar profile
Score 61.16
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 | 26.4% | 23.6–29.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.1% | 30.8–37.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.5% | 8.6–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.7–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.1–6.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.8% | 4.8–6.9 |
| Depression among adults | 22.8% | 19.8–26.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.6% | 8.3–11.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.8% | 34.3–41.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.9% | 26.9–37.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.7% | 9.5–14.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.2% | 4.9–7.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.4% | 74.5–80.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.7% | 77.9–83.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.2% | 88.6–91.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 74.2% | 70.6–77.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 73.1% | 70.4–75.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.7% | 70.8–82.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.5% | 14.1–19.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.0% | 8.8–13.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.5% | 19.7–28.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.5% | 31.2–39.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.2% | 12.0–16.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.7% | 13.7–17.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.4% | 10.8–14.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.4% | 9.7–13.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.1% | 21.5–28.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.4–7.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.3–7.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.7% | 8.9–12.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.5–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.1–4.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.6% | 19.3–26.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 7.6–11.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 5.5–9.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.2% | 6.7–10.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 4.9–6.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.2% | 26.3–34.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.6–6.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 5.8% (2.3–20.8%) n=278 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.5% (1.2–12.9%) n=277 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.6% (1.1–14.3%) n=278 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 35.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 43.6% (19.2–70.7%) n=278 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–9.1%) n=277 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–13.7%) n=278 |
| Broadband subscription | 99.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.7% (86.9–98.8%) n=278 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 27.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 29.3% (18.2–44.9%) n=278 |
| Homeownership rate | 77.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.1% (41.3–93.1%) n=278 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–3.8%) n=278 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 9.3% (2.1–22.3%) n=278 |
| Single-parent households | 45.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.1% (36.0–68.7%) n=277 |
| Population 65+ | 19.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.8% (13.4–30.2%) n=278 |
| Median age | 37.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.1 yr (34.7–53.2) n=278 |
| Median household income | $121,875 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $107,247 ($63,371–$163,278) n=270 |
| Median home value | $335,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $365,900 ($239,080–$622,060) n=268 |
| Median gross rent | $1,246 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,450 ($1,128–$2,175) n=247 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 78.2 yr ± 0.94 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 81.2 yr (77.7–83.5) n=266 |
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 0.94 years of 78.2, 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