ZIP code
11956
in New Suffolk, New YorkPopulation 298
64.83/ 100
Ranked #2,068 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 6.5%)
Ranked #292 of 1,730 New York ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #434 of 853 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ ZIPs (bottom 49%)
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.
Loneliness
24.3%
in the bottom 0.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full 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 ›PFOS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFOS, one of the most common “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 ›Distance to an emergency room
29.4 mi
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.2%
in the bottom 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
0.00%
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Housing insecurity
6.0%
in the bottom 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
46.9%
in the top 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
3.8%
in the bottom 2.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
8.6%
in the bottom 1.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, New Suffolk, New York (ZIP 11956) sits in the top 6.5% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,068th) and the top 17% of New York (292nd).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: modeled loneliness sits in the bottom 0.2% nationally, transportation registers in the bottom 2.2% nationally, and transportation noise lands at the national minimum. Modeled housing insecurity resides in the bottom 2.6% nationally, utility shutoff lies in the bottom 2.8% nationally, and cognitive disability settles in the bottom 1.4% nationally. On the other hand, PFOA in drinking water stands at the national maximum, and PFOS in drinking water is at the national maximum. Distance to an emergency room rests in the top 2.0% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol sits in the top 1.6% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, PFOA in drinking water is one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. PFOS in drinking water is a common one of the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. ZIP 11935, 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 91%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 74%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 99%
8%
Disability
healthier than 84%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 38%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 37%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 22%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 89%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 77%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 97%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 94%
8%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 13%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 10%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 20%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 67%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 94%
14%
Preventive Care
in the top 0.8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 91%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 81%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 2%
21%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 19%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the bottom 0.8%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
11935
New Yorkshares a border
Score 65.75
Closest healthier
11952
New Yorkabout 0.8 mi away
Score 65.16
Similar health profile
68531
Nebraska99% similar profile
Score 61.03
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 | 33.0% | 29.9–36.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 39.4% | 36.0–42.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 14.2% | 12.8–15.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.0–9.5 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.1–8.4 |
| Depression among adults | 15.8% | 13.7–17.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.5% | 9.8–13.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 46.9% | 43.8–50.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 28.1% | 24.5–32.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.2–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.4% | 9.6–13.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 3.7% | 2.7–4.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 84.3% | 81.9–86.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 86.6% | 84.6–88.3 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 94.2% | 93.1–95.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 73.8% | 70.7–76.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 72.0% | 69.7–74.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.3% | 78.3–86.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.2% | 11.4–15.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 7.3% | 5.3–9.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.4% | 17.6–25.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.1% | 30.1–36.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 14.2% | 11.5–17.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 11.6% | 9.9–13.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.2% | 10.2–14.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 8.6% | 7.0–10.3 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.9% | 23.1–30.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.5–8.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.0% | 4.8–7.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.0% | 11.3–17.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.5–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.8% | 3.1–4.6 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 17.3% | 14.5–20.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 5.1–9.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.8% | 4.0–8.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.0% | 4.7–7.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.2% | 3.4–5.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 24.3% | 20.9–28.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 3.8% | 3.1–4.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NY median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 2.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.5% (2.5–22.6%) n=1,734 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.0% (0.0–13.1%) n=1,734 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.1% (1.2–17.5%) n=1,743 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 72.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.8% (13.9–62.1%) n=1,743 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (0.0–9.7%) n=1,730 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 5.7% (0.0–28.9%) n=1,730 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.7% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.5% (81.1–98.3%) n=1,730 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 33.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.2% (14.2–45.5%) n=1,730 |
| Homeownership rate | 95.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.2% (40.9–94.8%) n=1,730 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.0% (0.0–6.6%) n=1,730 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.8% (0.0–28.7%) n=1,746 |
| Single-parent households | 79.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.0% (36.7–74.5%) n=1,716 |
| Population 65+ | 44.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.0% (12.0–33.2%) n=1,746 |
| Median age | 62.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.6–56.1) n=1,733 |
| Median household income | $130,875 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $81,837 ($55,470–$145,610) n=1,626 |
| Median home value | $1,060,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $247,700 ($121,180–$801,380) n=1,629 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 81.8 yr ± 2.00 | 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 2.00 years of 81.8, 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