ZIP code
08852
in Monmouth Junction, New JerseyPopulation 18,062
71.52/ 100
Ranked #343 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 1.1%)
Ranked #75 of 583 New Jersey ZIPs (top 12.9%)
Ranked #135 of 853 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ ZIPs (top 16%)
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.
PFOA in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOA, one of the man-made “forever chemicals,” was detected in EPA testing.
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 ›Cognitive disability
8.2%
in the bottom 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
3.8%
in the bottom 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
4.3%
in the bottom 0.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
24.8%
in the bottom 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST24thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
3.8%
in the bottom 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
7.6%
in the bottom 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Stroke
2.1%
in the bottom 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were detected in EPA testing.
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 ›Median household income
$133,209
in the top 6.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST69thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey (ZIP 08852) lands in the top 1.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (343rd) and the top 12.9% of New Jersey (75th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: modeled cognitive disability lands in the bottom 0.9% nationally, and hearing disability sits in the bottom 1.8% nationally. Modeled independent living disability is in the bottom 0.7% nationally, and obesity settles in the bottom 5.3% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease resides in the bottom 2.7% nationally, mobility disability registers in the bottom 2.6% nationally, and stroke rests in the bottom 2.8% nationally. Household income stands in the top 6.4% nationally. On the other side, PFOA in drinking water lies at the national maximum, and PFAS in drinking water lands at the national maximum.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 08536, just across the boundary, ranks better 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 97%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 91%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 89%
11%
Mental Health
in the top 0.3%
8%
Disability
in the top 0.9%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 15%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 96%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 61%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 74%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 97%
8%
Disability
healthier than 94%
7%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 50%
13%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 28%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 67%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 77%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 96%
8%
Disability
healthier than 93%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 19%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 39%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 23%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 37%
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 14.7; chronic-disease standing 97.2 (top 10%) — 83 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,371 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
08512
New Jerseyshares a border
Score 70.13
Closest healthier
08536
New Jerseyshares a border
Score 77.22
Similar health profile
07646
New Jersey100% similar profile
Score 68.05
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 | 17.2% | 15.4–19.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 29.5% | 26.7–32.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–6.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.4 |
| Depression among adults | 11.2% | 9.6–13.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.9% | 8.7–11.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.0% | 34.8–41.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 24.8% | 21.3–28.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.1% | 1.9–2.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 4.9% | 3.9–6.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.4% | 5.4–7.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.6% | 72.5–78.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.5% | 76.8–82.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.5% | 89.3–91.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.9% | 57.9–65.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 73.3% | 70.6–75.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.4% | 70.4–81.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.7% | 11.7–15.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 7.6% | 6.5–8.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 20.7% | 18.1–23.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.0% | 33.0–41.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.6% | 11.2–14.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 12.0% | 10.6–13.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 8.7% | 7.7–9.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 8.2% | 7.3–9.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 18.2% | 16.0–20.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.4–4.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 4.3% | 3.8–4.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.7–8.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.1% | 1.9–2.3 |
| 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 | 24.5% | 21.8–27.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.4–11.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 4.5% | 3.8–5.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 7.2–9.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–5.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.9% | 29.5–36.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–5.1 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NJ median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.2% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 5.8% (1.8–16.1%) n=588 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.6% (1.2–16.1%) n=585 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 5.3% (1.4–15.4%) n=589 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 67.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 44.2% (20.0–72.5%) n=589 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 5.3% (2.5–9.7%) n=583 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 4.8% (0.8–17.6%) n=585 |
| Broadband subscription | 98.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 94.4% (88.0–98.5%) n=585 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 31.7% (22.1–46.5%) n=585 |
| Homeownership rate | 65.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 77.5% (39.3–94.9%) n=585 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 6.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–7.4%) n=585 |
| Foreign-born population | 45.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 13.7% (3.3–39.5%) n=590 |
| Single-parent households | 43.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 49.6% (35.2–64.9%) n=581 |
| Population 65+ | 13.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 17.8% (11.7–27.5%) n=590 |
| Median age | 39.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.0 yr (35.6–51.8) n=582 |
| Median household income | $133,209 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $111,711 ($68,311–$188,075) n=565 |
| Median home value | $523,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $449,450 ($250,890–$845,440) n=564 |
| Median gross rent | $1,970 | $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 | 82.2 yr ± 1.10 | 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 1.10 years of 82.2, 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