ZIP code
14201
in Buffalo, New YorkPopulation 12,369
47.97/ 100
Ranked #18,958 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 41%)
Ranked #1,549 of 1,730 New York ZIPs (bottom 10.5%)
Ranked #71 of 86 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY ZIPs (bottom 17%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
1,393 units
in the top 0.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
36.5%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
23.6%
in the bottom 2.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Walkability
190 intersections/sq mi
in the top 3.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
39.5%
in the top 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
3.2%
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
47.2%
in the top 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full 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 ›Transit access
4.9 per 1,000 residents
in the top 5.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops inside this ZIP’s boundary, per 1,000 residents.
Counted from establishments located inside this ZIP’s boundary, so one just across the line is not counted. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the density to be reliable, no value is published rather than an unreliable one.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
23.3%
in the top 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›The read
In its overall standing, ZIP 14201, one of several in Buffalo, New York lands in the bottom 41% nationally (18,958th) and the bottom 10.5% of New York (1,549th).
Several serious readings shape the profile and deserve first mention: households without a vehicle stands in the top 1.8% nationally, homeownership rests in the bottom 2.3% nationally, and poverty registers in the top 3.2% nationally. Modeled loud transportation noise resides in the top 3.4% nationally, housing-cost burden settles in the top 4.3% nationally, and modeled tree cover is at the national minimum. Modeled housing insecurity sits in the top 5.4% nationally. On the better side, subsidized affordable housing lands in the top 0.7% nationally, and walkability lies in the top 3.1% nationally. Transit stands in the top 5.2% nationally.
Against the wider neighborhood, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put simply, subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. Loud transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to road, rail, and air noise at or above 65 decibels, near conversation volume. On the overall standing, ZIP 14202, just across the boundary, ranks healthier.
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 75%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 53%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 47%
8%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 11%
11%
Disability
healthier than 24%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 94%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 7%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 10%
8%
Disability
healthier than 5%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 95%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 29%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 8%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 15%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 20%
8%
Disability
healthier than 12%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 28%
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
2 of our published findings list 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 what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 74.4 ± 1.8 years. A median household income of $40,512 predicts 76.5 years — 2.1 years below.
Ranked #2,782 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 74.4 ± 1.8 years. The 45 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.3 years — 3.9 years below them.
Ranked #2,961 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
14202
New Yorkshares a border
Score 59.26
Closest healthier
14209
New Yorkshares a border
Score 61.30
Similar health profile
53404
Wisconsin94% similar profile
Score 45.84
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 | 23.4% | 21.3–25.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.1% | 29.3–34.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–6.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.8% | 10.5–13.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.4 |
| Depression among adults | 21.1% | 18.5–23.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.4% | 11.9–15.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.6% | 30.6–36.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.7% | 34.2–43.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 23.8% | 20.6–27.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.3% | 11.4–15.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 74.3% | 71.7–76.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.1% | 77.2–82.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.6% | 81.7–85.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.3% | 57.4–65.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 51.9% | 49.1–54.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.4% | 69.8–80.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.3% | 14.9–19.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.6% | 13.5–17.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 33.5% | 30.1–37.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.1% | 37.4–44.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.8% | 23.3–28.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.5% | 16.6–20.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.9–17.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.3% | 14.4–18.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.6% | 27.4–33.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.3–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.4% | 10.2–12.6 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.0% | 14.3–17.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.5–6.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 9.0% | 8.2–9.8 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.5% | 22.3–28.7 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 29.4% | 26.2–32.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 30.0% | 27.1–32.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 23.3% | 20.6–25.8 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 15.4% | 13.7–17.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.0% | 29.1–37.0 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 16.2% | 14.3–18.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NY median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 39.5% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.5% (2.5–22.6%) n=1,734 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.0% (0.0–13.1%) n=1,734 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 17.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.1% (1.2–17.5%) n=1,743 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 39.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.8% (13.9–62.1%) n=1,743 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (0.0–9.7%) n=1,730 |
| Households without a vehicle | 36.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 5.7% (0.0–28.9%) n=1,730 |
| Broadband subscription | 84.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.5% (81.1–98.3%) n=1,730 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 47.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.2% (14.2–45.5%) n=1,730 |
| Homeownership rate | 23.6% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.2% (40.9–94.8%) n=1,730 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.8% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.0% (0.0–6.6%) n=1,730 |
| Foreign-born population | 6.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.8% (0.0–28.7%) n=1,746 |
| Single-parent households | 33.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.0% (36.7–74.5%) n=1,716 |
| Population 65+ | 12.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.0% (12.0–33.2%) n=1,746 |
| Median age | 34.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.6–56.1) n=1,733 |
| Median household income | $40,512 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $81,837 ($55,470–$145,610) n=1,626 |
| Median home value | $337,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $247,700 ($121,180–$801,380) n=1,629 |
| Median gross rent | $1,053 | $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 | 74.4 yr ± 0.92 | 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 0.92 years of 74.4, 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