ZIP code
06820
in Darien, ConnecticutPopulation 21,936
73.49/ 100
Ranked #132 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 0.5%)
Ranked #7 of 277 Connecticut ZIPs (top 2.6%)
Ranked #7 of 46 Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ZIPs (top 15%)
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.
Median household income
$250,001
at the national maximum
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
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 ›Food insecurity
5.4%
in the bottom 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
3.7%
in the bottom 0.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Obesity
21.5%
in the bottom 1.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
5.4%
in the bottom 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
7.2%
in the bottom 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
8.8%
in the bottom 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
6.3%
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
3.7%
in the bottom 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, Darien, Connecticut (ZIP 06820) lands in the top 0.5% healthiest ZIPs nationally (132nd) and the top 2.6% of Connecticut (7th).
Strengths and concerns sit side by side across the measures here: household income sits at the national maximum, and modeled expected annual loss rests at the national minimum. Modeled food insecurity is in the bottom 0.7% nationally, and transportation stands in the bottom 0.8% nationally. Modeled obesity settles in the bottom 1.7% nationally, housing insecurity lies in the bottom 1.2% nationally, and cognitive disability resides in the bottom 0.2% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health lands in the bottom 0.2% nationally, mobility disability registers in the bottom 1.4% nationally, and utility shutoff sits in the bottom 2.3% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 06840, just across the boundary. On a broader view, 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 96%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 94%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 96%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 97%
8%
Disability
in the top 0.3%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 40%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 98%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 95%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 68%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 95%
8%
Disability
in the top 0.00%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 67%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 9%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 97%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 91%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 71%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 83%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 77%
8%
Disability
in the top 0.00%
7%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 9%
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 22.3; chronic-disease standing 96.2 (top 10%) — 74 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #16,722 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
06840
Connecticutshares a border
Score 73.59
Closest healthier
06870
Connecticutabout 2.9 mi away
Score 74.12
Similar health profile
10538
New York100% similar profile
Score 72.93
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 | 20.0% | 17.9–21.8 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 25.2% | 22.7–27.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.1% | 8.3–9.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.3% | 2.8–3.7 |
| Depression among adults | 17.5% | 15.3–19.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 6.4% | 5.6–7.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.5% | 34.4–40.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 21.5% | 18.0–25.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.1% | 2.0–2.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 4.0% | 3.3–4.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.3% | 3.7–5.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.1% | 74.0–79.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.5% | 76.8–81.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 92.7% | 91.7–93.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 73.5% | 70.5–76.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 83.0% | 81.2–84.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.9% | 76.5–85.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.8% | 15.5–20.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 5.6% | 4.7–6.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 15.1% | 12.9–17.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 29.5% | 26.3–33.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 8.8% | 7.7–10.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 11.8% | 10.5–13.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 8.5% | 7.5–9.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.3–8.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 15.6% | 13.6–17.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–4.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.5–4.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 1.9% | 1.7–2.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.4% | 2.2–2.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.3% | 17.2–21.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.5–6.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 3.2% | 2.6–3.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.6–6.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 3.7% | 3.2–4.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 29.2% | 26.3–32.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 3.7% | 3.1–4.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | CT median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 5.8% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 5.8% (2.3–20.8%) n=278 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.5% (1.2–12.9%) n=277 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 4.6% (1.1–14.3%) n=278 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 85.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 43.6% (19.2–70.7%) n=278 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (1.6–9.1%) n=277 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.1% (0.0–13.7%) n=278 |
| Broadband subscription | 96.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.7% (86.9–98.8%) n=278 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 29.3% (18.2–44.9%) n=278 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.1% (41.3–93.1%) n=278 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–3.8%) n=278 |
| Foreign-born population | 12.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 9.3% (2.1–22.3%) n=278 |
| Single-parent households | 40.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.1% (36.0–68.7%) n=277 |
| Population 65+ | 13.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.8% (13.4–30.2%) n=278 |
| Median age | 40.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 44.1 yr (34.7–53.2) n=278 |
| Median household income | $250,001 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $107,247 ($63,371–$163,278) n=270 |
| Median home value | $1,822,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $365,900 ($239,080–$622,060) n=268 |
| Median gross rent | $3,501 | $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 | 83.4 yr ± 0.71 | 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 0.71 years of 83.4, 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