ZIP code
14206
in Buffalo, New YorkPopulation 21,631
43.17/ 100
Ranked #24,223 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 24%)
Ranked #1,677 of 1,730 New York ZIPs (bottom 3.1%)
Ranked #79 of 86 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY ZIPs (bottom 8.2%)
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.
Transit access
8 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Households without a vehicle
16.8%
in the top 5.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.8%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Utility shut-off threat
13.7%
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
19.6%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Short sleep
41.7%
in the top 10.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS90thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
12.9%
in the top 10.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
24.4%
in the top 11.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Radon
0.8 pCi/L
in the bottom 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS6thDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 14.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS85thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, ZIP 14206, one of several in Buffalo, New York sits in the bottom 24% nationally (24,223rd) and the bottom 3.1% of New York (1,677th).
Where the data leans one way, another reading answers it: transit is in the top 2.0% nationally. Modeled extreme heat rests at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Elder services sits in the top 11.0% nationally. On the other hand, households without a vehicle registers in the top 5.9% nationally, and modeled loud transportation noise lands in the top 8.7% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff resides in the top 9.4% nationally, and housing insecurity lies in the top 9.5% nationally. Modeled short sleep settles in the top 10.2% nationally, and transportation stands in the top 10.6% nationally. Modeled transportation noise is in the top 11.0% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, 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. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. ZIP 14210, 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 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 87%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 33%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 7%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 33%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 7%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 29%
8%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 66%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 10%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 6%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 3%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 12%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 9%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 12%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 7%
8%
Disability
healthier than 13%
7%
“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 ± 1.3 years. A median household income of $50,450 predicts 77.4 years — 3.0 years below.
Ranked #4,097 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 ± 1.3 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.3 years — 3.9 years below them.
Ranked #2,980 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
14204
New Yorkshares a border
Score 34.13
Closest healthier
14210
New Yorkshares a border
Score 43.42
Similar health profile
17901
Pennsylvania99% similar profile
Score 43.73
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 | 29.1% | 26.4–31.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.9% | 32.8–38.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.7% | 11.3–14.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 6.8–8.4 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.8% | 8.7–10.8 |
| Depression among adults | 22.7% | 19.8–25.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.3% | 11.7–14.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.0% | 33.8–40.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.4% | 33.8–42.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.3% | 3.9–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 20.9% | 17.8–24.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 9.2% | 7.9–10.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.3% | 74.5–79.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.5% | 78.7–84.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.6% | 83.8–87.2 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 63.6% | 59.8–67.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 53.2% | 50.2–56.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.2% | 71.7–81.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.8% | 14.4–19.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 19.1% | 16.7–21.4 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.8% | 29.0–36.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.7% | 37.9–45.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 24.6% | 22.0–27.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 19.6% | 17.5–21.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.7% | 14.9–18.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.3% | 14.5–17.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.5% | 28.0–34.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 11.6% | 10.4–12.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.1% | 15.1–19.0 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.7–7.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.5% | 23.4–29.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 24.4% | 21.8–27.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 26.1% | 23.5–28.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 19.6% | 17.4–21.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.5–14.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.1% | 29.3–37.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 13.7% | 12.2–15.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NY median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 21.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.5% (2.5–22.6%) n=1,734 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.0% (0.0–13.1%) n=1,734 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.1% (1.2–17.5%) n=1,743 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.8% (13.9–62.1%) n=1,743 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 8.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (0.0–9.7%) n=1,730 |
| Households without a vehicle | 16.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 5.7% (0.0–28.9%) n=1,730 |
| Broadband subscription | 84.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.5% (81.1–98.3%) n=1,730 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 30.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.2% (14.2–45.5%) n=1,730 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.7% | 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 | 5.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.8% (0.0–28.7%) n=1,746 |
| Single-parent households | 44.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.0% (36.7–74.5%) n=1,716 |
| Population 65+ | 14.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.0% (12.0–33.2%) n=1,746 |
| Median age | 38.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.6–56.1) n=1,733 |
| Median household income | $50,450 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $81,837 ($55,470–$145,610) n=1,626 |
| Median home value | $125,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $247,700 ($121,180–$801,380) n=1,629 |
| Median gross rent | $908 | $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 ± 0.64 | 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 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