ZIP code
06426
in Essex, ConnecticutPopulation 3,267
68.27/ 100
Ranked #954 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 3.0%)
Ranked #36 of 277 Connecticut ZIPs (top 13.0%)
Ranked #9 of 95 Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT ZIPs (top 9.5%)
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.
Loneliness
24%
in the bottom 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
4.9%
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
4.6%
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full 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 ›Lack of transportation
3.6%
in the bottom 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Physician access
7.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 0.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Utility shut-off threat
3.2%
in the bottom 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
79.5%
in the top 0.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Transit access
8.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Essex, Connecticut (ZIP 06426), on the composite measure, lands in the top 3.0% healthiest ZIPs nationally (954th) and the top 13.0% of Connecticut (36th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: modeled loneliness stands in the bottom 0.2% nationally, food insecurity is in the bottom 0.3% nationally, and housing insecurity rests in the bottom 0.3% nationally. Modeled expected annual loss sits at the national minimum, modeled transportation registers in the bottom 0.6% nationally, and physicians lands in the top 0.6% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff resides in the bottom 0.9% nationally, and colon screening lies in the top 0.3% nationally. Dental providers settles in the top 1.2% nationally, and transit stands in the top 1.8% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, physicians runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In everyday language, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 06443, about 6.9 miles away. Across the board, the area also sits on the healthier half of the national range on at least seven of the ten good-life measures tracked here, from quiet and green space to nearby care, a combination reached by about one in twenty-five US ZIP codes.
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 Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 98%
16%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.08%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.6%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 98%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 47%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 27%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 67%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 96%
8%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 54%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 8%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 1%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 16%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 99%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 77%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.00%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.00%
11%
Mental Health
in the top 0.00%
8%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 48%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 12%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 1%
5%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
06371
Connecticutshares a border
Score 66.87
Closest healthier
06443
Connecticutabout 6.9 mi away
Score 71.07
Similar health profile
23433
Virginia99% similar profile
Score 64.04
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 | 35.2% | 31.9–38.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 40.1% | 36.6–43.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 15.0% | 13.6–16.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.6% | 8.5–10.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.1–9.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.8% | 4.7–7.2 |
| Depression among adults | 19.0% | 16.5–21.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.6% | 9.1–12.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 45.6% | 41.9–49.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 25.7% | 21.6–30.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.1% | 4.9–7.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.0% | 3.2–5.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 84.1% | 81.5–86.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 87.6% | 85.6–89.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 95.1% | 94.3–95.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 79.5% | 76.5–82.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 81.5% | 79.4–83.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.8% | 78.3–87.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 12.4% | 10.6–14.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 6.7% | 5.2–8.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.3% | 15.8–23.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 26.6% | 23.2–30.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.0% | 9.9–14.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 10.5% | 9.1–12.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.3% | 9.7–13.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 7.9% | 6.6–9.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 22.7% | 19.3–26.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.4–9.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.5–6.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.1% | 9.2–13.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.7% | 2.3–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.0–4.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 17.5% | 14.9–20.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 4.9% | 3.9–6.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 3.8% | 2.9–4.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 4.6% | 3.7–5.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 3.6% | 3.0–4.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 24.0% | 20.8–27.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 3.2% | 2.7–3.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 5.8% (2.3–20.8%) n=278 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.5% (1.2–12.9%) n=277 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.6% (1.1–14.3%) n=278 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 63.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 43.6% (19.2–70.7%) n=278 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–9.1%) n=277 |
| Households without a vehicle | 8.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–13.7%) n=278 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.7% (86.9–98.8%) n=278 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 37.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 29.3% (18.2–44.9%) n=278 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.3% | 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 | 7.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 9.3% (2.1–22.3%) n=278 |
| Single-parent households | 70.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.1% (36.0–68.7%) n=277 |
| Population 65+ | 36.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.8% (13.4–30.2%) n=278 |
| Median age | 59.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.1 yr (34.7–53.2) n=278 |
| Median household income | $103,705 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $107,247 ($63,371–$163,278) n=270 |
| Median home value | $729,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $365,900 ($239,080–$622,060) n=268 |
| Median gross rent | $1,860 | $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 | 82.1 yr ± 1.41 | 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 1.41 years of 82.1, 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