ZIP code
06518
in Hamden, ConnecticutPopulation 20,126
63.22/ 100
Ranked #2,844 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 8.9%)
Ranked #116 of 277 Connecticut ZIPs (top 42%)
Ranked #12 of 41 New Haven-Milford, CT ZIPs (top 29%)
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 ›PFAS in drinking water
84.8%
in the top 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST88thUS99thDefinition & 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 ›Physician access
4.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Dental provider access
1.6 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & 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
6.5 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
76.2%
in the top 1.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST84thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Lead in tap water
0 ppb
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
US1stDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Outpatient-care access
0.61 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient clinics 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 ›Mammography
82%
in the top 4.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS96thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Mental-health provider access
0.15 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics 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 ›The read
Overall, ZIP 06518, one of several in Hamden, Connecticut places in the top 8.9% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,844th) and the top 42% of Connecticut (116th).
The measures fall on both sides for this area, fairly evenly: modeled expected annual loss is at the national minimum, and physicians lands in the top 2.0% nationally. Dental providers stands in the top 2.0% nationally, and transit registers in the top 3.1% nationally. Modeled colon screening settles in the top 1.7% nationally, lead in tap water sits at the national minimum, and outpatient lies in the top 5.2% nationally. Modeled mammography rests in the top 4.0% nationally, and mental-health providers resides in the top 6.5% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled pfas is in the top 1.1% nationally.
Beside the areas that surround it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For readers new to these terms, 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. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Among nearby ZIPs, the nearest healthier one overall is ZIP 06410, 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 New Haven-Milford, 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 91%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Disability
healthier than 92%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 74%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 59%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 8%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 92%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 63%
11%
Disability
healthier than 69%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 65%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 45%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 7%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 39%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 35%
8%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 97%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 69%
11%
Disability
healthier than 75%
7%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 33%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 39%
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
3 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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 82.6 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $106,692 predicts 80.3 years — 2.2 years above.
Ranked #805 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 82.6 ± 1.2 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.0 years — 2.6 years above them.
Ranked #1,088 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 8.4 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 91.1 (top 10%) — 83 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,389 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
06410
Connecticutshares a border
Score 66.72
Closest healthier
06524
Connecticutshares a border
Score 67.60
Similar health profile
18062
Pennsylvania99% similar profile
Score 62.68
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 | 21.1% | 19.3–23.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 27.5% | 25.3–29.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.9% | 9.8–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–5.0 |
| Depression among adults | 21.8% | 19.4–24.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 7.8% | 6.9–8.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 34.1% | 31.6–36.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 28.1% | 24.3–32.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.6% | 2.3–2.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 7.5% | 6.2–9.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.4% | 5.4–7.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.2% | 71.9–76.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.1% | 76.6–81.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.3% | 85.4–89.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 76.2% | 73.3–79.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 74.3% | 72.0–76.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.0% | 77.8–86.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.3% | 14.3–18.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–9.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.9% | 18.3–23.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.2% | 30.6–38.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.1% | 10.6–13.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.7% | 14.9–18.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.4% | 9.3–11.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.5–13.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 23.3% | 20.6–26.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.5–5.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.8–10.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.4% | 2.2–2.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.1% | 21.4–26.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.5–11.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 5.9–8.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.4% | 8.1–10.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.9% | 5.9–7.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.3% | 33.0–39.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.1% | 5.3–7.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 5.8% (2.3–20.8%) n=278 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.5% (1.2–12.9%) n=277 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.6% (1.1–14.3%) n=278 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 48.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 43.6% (19.2–70.7%) n=278 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–9.1%) n=277 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–13.7%) n=278 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.7% (86.9–98.8%) n=278 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 29.3% (18.2–44.9%) n=278 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.7% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.1% (41.3–93.1%) n=278 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–3.8%) n=278 |
| Foreign-born population | 11.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 9.3% (2.1–22.3%) n=278 |
| Single-parent households | 55.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.1% (36.0–68.7%) n=277 |
| Population 65+ | 17.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.8% (13.4–30.2%) n=278 |
| Median age | 31.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.1 yr (34.7–53.2) n=278 |
| Median household income | $106,692 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $107,247 ($63,371–$163,278) n=270 |
| Median home value | $325,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $365,900 ($239,080–$622,060) n=268 |
| Median gross rent | $2,154 | $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 | 82.5 yr ± 0.62 | 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 0.62 years of 82.5, 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