ZIP code
06482
in Sandy Hook, ConnecticutPopulation 12,000
67.03/ 100
Ranked #1,282 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 4.0%)
Ranked #51 of 277 Connecticut ZIPs (top 18%)
Ranked #26 of 46 Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ZIPs (bottom 43%)
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 ›Median household income
$159,828
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
80.2%
in the top 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST77thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Obesity
24.1%
in the bottom 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Civic-institution access
0.92 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Cognitive disability
9.6%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Recreation access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST84thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of places for physical recreation — gyms, sports, and fitness venues — 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 ›Fair or poor health
12.1%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
8.8%
in the bottom 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
8.0%
in the bottom 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›The read
Sandy Hook, Connecticut (ZIP 06482), on the composite measure, lands in the top 4.0% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,282nd) and the top 18% of Connecticut (51st).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: modeled expected annual loss lies at the national minimum, household income settles in the top 2.9% nationally, and modeled obesity stands in the bottom 4.3% nationally. Civic is in the top 4.8% nationally, modeled cognitive disability rests in the bottom 3.6% nationally, and recreation sits in the top 6.0% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health registers in the bottom 3.6% nationally, and mobility disability lands in the bottom 5.0% nationally. Modeled diabetes resides in the bottom 4.3% nationally. On the other hand, modeled pfas lies in the top 1.9% nationally.
Set against the neighboring ZIPs, outer-floodplain exposure 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. Pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. A healthier neighbor overall sits at ZIP 06468, just across the boundary. 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 Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, 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 88%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 94%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Disability
healthier than 94%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 70%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 35%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 71%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 64%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 82%
8%
Disability
healthier than 76%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 51%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 48%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 41%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 89%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 57%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 51%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 46%
11%
Disability
healthier than 43%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 37%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 31%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 23%
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.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 34.8; chronic-disease standing 87.6 — 53 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #14,670 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
06468
Connecticutshares a border
Score 70.62
Closest healthier
06470
Connecticutshares a border
Score 68.52
Similar health profile
12531
New York100% similar profile
Score 65.86
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 | 23.2% | 21.0–25.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 28.8% | 26.3–31.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.5% | 8.7–10.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.0% | 9.0–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.7–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.2–5.7 |
| Depression among adults | 18.8% | 16.5–21.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 8.0% | 7.0–9.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.4% | 36.3–42.3 |
| Obesity among adults | 24.1% | 20.4–27.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.5–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.0% | 5.8–8.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.2% | 5.2–7.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.4% | 75.6–80.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.0% | 76.3–81.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 91.3% | 90.0–92.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 73.4% | 70.3–76.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 77.4% | 75.2–79.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.3% | 74.8–84.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.2% | 15.0–19.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.6% | 7.0–10.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.0% | 17.3–22.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.4% | 29.0–36.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.1% | 10.5–13.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.9% | 12.4–15.4 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.9% | 9.6–12.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.3–10.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 20.4% | 17.9–22.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.9–6.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.7% | 2.3–3.0 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.3% | 2.9–3.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.2% | 19.6–24.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.0–9.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.6–6.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.4–8.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.4–5.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.4% | 28.2–34.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.0% | 4.3–5.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 5.8% (2.3–20.8%) n=278 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.5% (1.2–12.9%) n=277 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 2.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.6% (1.1–14.3%) n=278 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 60.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 43.6% (19.2–70.7%) n=278 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–9.1%) n=277 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–13.7%) n=278 |
| Broadband subscription | 97.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.7% (86.9–98.8%) n=278 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 29.3% (18.2–44.9%) n=278 |
| Homeownership rate | 93.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.1% (41.3–93.1%) n=278 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–3.8%) n=278 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 9.3% (2.1–22.3%) n=278 |
| Single-parent households | 54.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.1% (36.0–68.7%) n=277 |
| Population 65+ | 15.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.8% (13.4–30.2%) n=278 |
| Median age | 42.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.1 yr (34.7–53.2) n=278 |
| Median household income | $159,828 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $107,247 ($63,371–$163,278) n=270 |
| Median home value | $499,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $365,900 ($239,080–$622,060) n=268 |
| Median gross rent | $1,835 | $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 ± 0.98 | 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 0.98 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