ZIP code
08840
in Metuchen, New JerseyPopulation 18,206
68.23/ 100
Ranked #965 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 3.1%)
Ranked #171 of 583 New Jersey ZIPs (top 29%)
Ranked #276 of 853 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ ZIPs (top 32%)
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
$146,635
in the top 4.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST74thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
8.9%
in the bottom 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST22ndUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.1 mi
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST17thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
15.5%
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Independent-living disability
4.8%
in the bottom 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Mental-health provider access
0.17 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & 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 ›Utility shut-off threat
4.3%
in the bottom 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST29thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.8%
in the bottom 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST29thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Walkability
140 intersections/sq mi
in the top 6.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Metuchen, New Jersey (ZIP 08840) sits in the top 3.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (965th) and the top 29% of New Jersey (171st).
The profile cuts both ways, and the readings bear that out: household income registers in the top 4.3% nationally, modeled cognitive disability lands in the bottom 1.9% nationally, and dental providers resides in the top 4.1% nationally. Modeled independent living disability lies in the bottom 1.9% nationally, mental-health providers settles in the top 5.6% nationally, and modeled utility shutoff stands in the bottom 5.7% nationally. Modeled transportation is in the bottom 5.9% nationally, and walkability rests in the top 6.1% nationally. Working the other way, distance to a Superfund site sits in the bottom 4.0% nationally, and modeled transportation noise registers in the top 4.0% nationally.
In plain language, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. ZIP 08820, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
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 York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 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 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 97%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 82%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 85%
11%
Mental Health
in the top 0.9%
8%
Disability
healthier than 97%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 72%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 73%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 2%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 65%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 89%
8%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 75%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 1%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 78%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 68%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 55%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 1%
14%
“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
2 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 its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 83.5 ± 2.1 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.6 years — 2.9 years above them.
Ranked #867 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 1.8 (bottom 10%); chronic-disease standing 93.0 (top 10%) — 91 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,945 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
08817
New Jerseyshares a border
Score 66.50
Closest healthier
08820
New Jerseyshares a border
Score 73.09
Similar health profile
07410
New Jersey100% similar profile
Score 67.18
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 | 21.0% | 18.9–23.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.3% | 28.6–34.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.7% | 7.0–8.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.4% | 7.5–9.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.5% | 4.1–5.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.2 |
| Depression among adults | 13.4% | 11.6–15.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.5% | 8.3–10.7 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.7% | 35.6–41.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 27.8% | 24.1–31.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.4% | 2.2–2.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 5.8% | 4.6–7.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.6% | 5.6–7.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.8% | 73.9–79.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.9% | 77.1–82.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 91.2% | 89.9–92.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.0% | 62.2–69.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 72.9% | 70.3–75.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.1% | 71.1–82.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.8% | 13.6–18.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.1% | 6.9–9.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.7% | 17.1–22.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.9% | 32.0–39.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.9% | 11.4–14.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 12.7% | 11.4–14.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 9.6% | 8.5–10.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–9.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 20.3% | 17.9–22.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.2–5.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.2–5.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.5–9.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.3% | 2.0–2.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.3% | 18.9–24.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.2–9.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 4.2% | 3.4–5.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.7–9.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 4.2–5.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.2% | 28.0–34.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.3% | 3.7–5.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NJ median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 5.8% (1.8–16.1%) n=588 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.6% (1.2–16.1%) n=585 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.3% (1.4–15.4%) n=589 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 62.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 44.2% (20.0–72.5%) n=589 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 5.3% (2.5–9.7%) n=583 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.8–17.6%) n=585 |
| Broadband subscription | 97.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.4% (88.0–98.5%) n=585 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 28.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 31.7% (22.1–46.5%) n=585 |
| Homeownership rate | 76.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.5% (39.3–94.9%) n=585 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–7.4%) n=585 |
| Foreign-born population | 22.1% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 13.7% (3.3–39.5%) n=590 |
| Single-parent households | 44.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 49.6% (35.2–64.9%) n=581 |
| Population 65+ | 15.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.8% (11.7–27.5%) n=590 |
| Median age | 39.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.0 yr (35.6–51.8) n=582 |
| Median household income | $146,635 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $111,711 ($68,311–$188,075) n=565 |
| Median home value | $560,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $449,450 ($250,890–$845,440) n=564 |
| Median gross rent | $2,058 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,781 ($1,267–$2,530) n=516 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NJ median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 83.5 yr ± 1.09 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 80.4 yr (76.6–83.7) n=571 |
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 1.09 years of 83.5, 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