ZIP code
11554
in East Meadow, New YorkPopulation 36,821
65.98/ 100
Ranked #1,632 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 5.1%)
Ranked #232 of 1,730 New York ZIPs (top 13.5%)
Ranked #383 of 853 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ ZIPs (top 45%)
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.
Tree cover
0.00%
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$133,971
in the top 6.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS94thDefinition & 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
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 ›Cognitive disability
9.6%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Walkability
140 intersections/sq mi
in the top 6.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
1 mi
in the bottom 7.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST10thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
27.2%
in the bottom 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS10thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
96.6%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
6.9%
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, East Meadow, New York (ZIP 11554) lands in the top 5.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,632nd) and the top 13.5% of New York (232nd).
The profile opens on a set of genuinely favorable readings: household income rests in the top 6.2% nationally. Distance to an emergency room is at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Modeled cognitive disability stands in the bottom 3.6% nationally, walkability settles in the top 6.0% nationally, and modeled obesity lies in the bottom 9.6% nationally. Fiber broadband resides in the top 8.6% nationally, and floodplain exposure lands in the bottom 11.3% nationally. On the other side, modeled tree cover registers at the national minimum, PFAS in drinking water sits at the national maximum, and distance to a Superfund site rests in the bottom 7.3% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 11530, 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 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 83%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 68%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 72%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 99%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 91%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 52%
14%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 63%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 94%
8%
Disability
healthier than 74%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 44%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 60%
13%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 69%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 67%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 92%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 45%
11%
Disability
healthier than 46%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 35%
16%
“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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 83.0 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $133,971 predicts 81.2 years — 1.8 years above.
Ranked #1,066 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
11530
New Yorkshares a border
Score 71.97
Closest healthier
11566
New Yorkshares a border
Score 67.92
Similar health profile
10954
New York99% similar profile
Score 63.46
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 | 24.2% | 22.2–26.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.1% | 29.6–34.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.2% | 8.5–10.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.4% | 8.5–10.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–5.8 |
| Depression among adults | 13.5% | 11.8–15.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.3% | 37.5–43.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 27.2% | 23.9–30.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.7–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.9% | 5.6–8.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.0% | 5.1–6.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.8% | 78.5–82.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.2% | 79.9–84.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 91.2% | 90.1–92.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.8% | 67.3–73.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.5% | 65.8–71.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.9% | 69.3–79.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.6% | 12.7–16.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–9.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.8% | 21.1–26.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 40.2% | 36.7–43.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.6% | 13.0–16.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.1% | 11.8–14.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.5% | 10.3–12.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 9.6% | 8.5–10.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 24.4% | 21.9–27.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.3–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.3% | 9.9–12.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.5–4.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.2% | 22.2–28.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.3–12.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.4–8.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.5–11.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.4% | 27.9–34.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.4–5.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NY median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.5% (2.5–22.6%) n=1,734 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.0% (0.0–13.1%) n=1,734 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.1% (1.2–17.5%) n=1,743 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 48.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.8% (13.9–62.1%) n=1,743 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (0.0–9.7%) n=1,730 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 5.7% (0.0–28.9%) n=1,730 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.5% (81.1–98.3%) n=1,730 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 35.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.2% (14.2–45.5%) n=1,730 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.2% (40.9–94.8%) n=1,730 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.0% (0.0–6.6%) n=1,730 |
| Foreign-born population | 19.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.8% (0.0–28.7%) n=1,746 |
| Single-parent households | 45.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.0% (36.7–74.5%) n=1,716 |
| Population 65+ | 21.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.0% (12.0–33.2%) n=1,746 |
| Median age | 43.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.6–56.1) n=1,733 |
| Median household income | $133,971 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $81,837 ($55,470–$145,610) n=1,626 |
| Median home value | $631,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $247,700 ($121,180–$801,380) n=1,629 |
| Median gross rent | $2,890 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,162 ($782–$2,359) n=1,367 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NY median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 83.0 yr ± 0.64 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 80.9 yr (78.0–84.5) n=1,692 |
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 0.64 years of 83.0, 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