ZIP code
11961
in Ridge, New YorkPopulation 12,315
61.30/ 100
Ranked #3,943 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 12.3%)
Ranked #510 of 1,730 New York ZIPs (top 29%)
Ranked #584 of 853 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ ZIPs (bottom 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.
PFAS in drinking water
83.4%
in the top 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Park land
36.8%
in the top 3.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
0.9 mi
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility
14.7 mi
in the top 8.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest facility that handles enough hazardous chemicals to require an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
28.3%
in the bottom 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
10.6%
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
43.8%
in the top 7.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
11.4%
in the top 14.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
5.3%
in the bottom 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST36thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Ridge, New York (ZIP 11961) lands in the top 12.3% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,943rd) and the top 29% of New York (510th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: park land settles in the top 3.7% nationally, and distance to a hazardous-chemical facility resides in the top 8.2% nationally. Modeled loneliness registers in the bottom 9.0% nationally. Modeled extreme heat rests at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled cognitive disability stands in the bottom 7.8% nationally. On the other side, modeled pfas lies in the top 1.3% nationally, distance to a Superfund site lands in the bottom 6.8% nationally, and PFOA in drinking water sits in the top 10.2% nationally. PFOS in drinking water is in the top 10.5% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol settles in the top 7.5% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 11778, 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
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 66%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 96%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 79%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 96%
8%
Disability
healthier than 75%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 49%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 53%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 63%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 86%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 77%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 82%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Disability
healthier than 47%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 23%
21%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 87%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 56%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 51%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 3%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 30%
16%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 17%
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.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 77.8 ± 1.7 years. The 49 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 80.8 years — 3.0 years below them.
Ranked #2,345 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
11778
New Yorkshares a border
Score 63.96
Closest healthier
11786
New Yorkshares a border
Score 65.99
Similar health profile
12529
New York99% similar profile
Score 59.84
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 | 30.6% | 28.1–33.2 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.2% | 34.3–40.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 12.2% | 11.1–13.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.0% | 5.9–8.2 |
| Depression among adults | 16.2% | 14.2–18.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.1% | 9.7–12.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 43.8% | 40.7–46.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 28.7% | 25.1–32.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.0% | 8.3–11.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.3% | 4.5–6.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 82.0% | 79.6–84.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 84.4% | 82.4–86.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 92.5% | 91.6–93.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.0% | 68.9–75.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.0% | 65.6–70.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.0% | 74.4–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.2% | 12.4–16.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.5% | 8.0–10.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.0% | 21.6–28.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.6% | 33.5–40.0 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.0% | 13.8–18.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.6% | 12.1–15.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.0% | 11.4–14.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.3–12.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.3% | 26.0–32.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.5–8.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.0–8.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.8% | 12.6–17.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.3% | 2.9–3.8 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.7–4.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.1% | 19.4–25.0 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.0% | 8.5–11.8 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 6.7–9.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–10.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.5% | 4.8–6.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.3% | 25.1–31.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.9% | 4.3–5.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NY median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.5% (2.5–22.6%) n=1,734 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.6% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.0% (0.0–13.1%) n=1,734 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.1% (1.2–17.5%) n=1,743 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 28.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.8% (13.9–62.1%) n=1,743 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (0.0–9.7%) n=1,730 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 5.7% (0.0–28.9%) n=1,730 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.5% (81.1–98.3%) n=1,730 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 38.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.2% (14.2–45.5%) n=1,730 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.2% (40.9–94.8%) n=1,730 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.0% (0.0–6.6%) n=1,730 |
| Foreign-born population | 7.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.8% (0.0–28.7%) n=1,746 |
| Single-parent households | 57.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.0% (36.7–74.5%) n=1,716 |
| Population 65+ | 35.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.0% (12.0–33.2%) n=1,746 |
| Median age | 53.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.6–56.1) n=1,733 |
| Median household income | $76,216 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $81,837 ($55,470–$145,610) n=1,626 |
| Median home value | $420,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $247,700 ($121,180–$801,380) n=1,629 |
| Median gross rent | $2,044 | $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 | 77.8 yr ± 0.88 | 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 0.88 years of 77.8, 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