ZIP code
12020
in Ballston Spa, New YorkPopulation 34,937
62.96/ 100
Ranked #2,987 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 9.4%)
Ranked #391 of 1,730 New York ZIPs (top 23%)
Ranked #24 of 114 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ZIPs (top 21%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
59.6%
in the top 8.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST87thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
288 units
in the top 8.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Mammography
80.9%
in the top 7.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
5.3%
in the bottom 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST21stUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
73%
in the top 7.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST82ndUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
13.7%
in the bottom 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Diabetes
9.1%
in the bottom 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
4.8%
in the bottom 5.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST22ndUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
31.4%
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS17thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Ballston Spa, New York (ZIP 12020) ranks in the top 9.4% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,987th) and the top 23% of New York (391st), based on limited data; treat as directional.
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: subsidized affordable housing rests in the top 8.6% nationally. Modeled extreme heat stands at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Modeled mammography lies in the top 7.1% nationally, hearing disability lands in the bottom 9.0% nationally, and colon screening sits in the top 7.3% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health is in the bottom 8.3% nationally, diabetes settles in the bottom 9.4% nationally, and mobility disability resides in the bottom 11.4% nationally. On the other side, distance to a Superfund site registers at the national minimum, and modeled pfas rests in the top 8.2% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. 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. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. Close by, ZIP 12019, 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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 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 79%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 83%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 91%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 81%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 47%
14%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 32%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 80%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 64%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 81%
11%
Disability
healthier than 73%
7%
About typical
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 60%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 34%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 61%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 87%
11%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Climate / Disaster RiskPartial
healthier than 62%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 51%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
12019
New Yorkshares a border
Score 67.79
Closest healthier
12027
New Yorkshares a border
Score 66.22
Similar health profile
06061
Connecticut100% similar profile
Score 67.36
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 | 26.7% | 24.0–29.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.8% | 27.6–34.2 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.1% | 8.3–9.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.4 |
| Depression among adults | 21.0% | 18.2–24.0 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.1% | 7.9–10.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.0% | 33.5–40.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.7% | 28.8–39.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.8% | 2.6–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.0% | 6.4–9.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.8% | 4.1–5.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.9% | 74.0–79.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.8% | 76.8–82.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.0% | 88.7–91.1 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 73.0% | 69.0–76.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 68.1% | 65.0–71.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.9% | 75.0–86.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.8% | 15.1–20.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.2% | 9.7–12.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.6% | 16.7–22.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.4% | 27.0–36.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.7% | 12.0–15.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.8–17.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.8% | 10.5–13.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 11.2% | 10.0–12.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 23.5% | 20.6–26.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–6.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.2–11.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–3.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.3% | 18.4–24.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 8.3–11.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.3–9.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 9.5% | 8.2–11.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.4% | 27.1–35.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NY median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 6.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.5% (2.5–22.6%) n=1,734 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.0% (0.0–13.1%) n=1,734 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.1% (1.2–17.5%) n=1,743 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 44.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.8% (13.9–62.1%) n=1,743 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (0.0–9.7%) n=1,730 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 5.7% (0.0–28.9%) n=1,730 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.5% (81.1–98.3%) n=1,730 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.2% (14.2–45.5%) n=1,730 |
| Homeownership rate | 70.2% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.2% (40.9–94.8%) n=1,730 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.0% (0.0–6.6%) n=1,730 |
| Foreign-born population | 3.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.8% (0.0–28.7%) n=1,746 |
| Single-parent households | 55.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.0% (36.7–74.5%) n=1,716 |
| Population 65+ | 18.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.0% (12.0–33.2%) n=1,746 |
| Median age | 42.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.6–56.1) n=1,733 |
| Median household income | $107,112 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $81,837 ($55,470–$145,610) n=1,626 |
| Median home value | $329,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $247,700 ($121,180–$801,380) n=1,629 |
| Median gross rent | $1,612 | $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 | 80.8 yr ± 0.50 | 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 0.50 years of 80.8, 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