ZIP code
14214
in Buffalo, New YorkPopulation 21,314
56.25/ 100
Ranked #8,016 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 25%)
Ranked #925 of 1,730 New York ZIPs (bottom 47%)
Ranked #52 of 86 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY ZIPs (bottom 40%)
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
6.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.19 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of mental-health clinics located 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 ›Hearing disability
4.4%
in the bottom 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST7thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
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 ›Homeownership rate
42.3%
in the bottom 5.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST10thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
16.5%
in the top 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST83rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Walkability
110 intersections/sq mi
in the top 8.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS91stDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›High cholesterol
32%
in the bottom 6.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Park land
12.2%
in the top 10.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Poverty rate
25.4%
in the top 10.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents whose income is below the federal poverty line, from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Full methodology ›The read
On balance, and by the composite measure, ZIP 14214, one of several in Buffalo, New York ranks in the top 25% healthiest ZIPs nationally (8,016th) and the bottom 47% of New York (925th).
Taken together, the profile's clearest strengths surface right away: transit settles in the top 3.3% nationally, and mental-health providers lies in the top 4.5% nationally. Modeled hearing disability resides in the bottom 3.2% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lands at the national minimum, shared with about 11% of ZIPs. Walkability registers in the top 8.8% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol sits in the bottom 6.6% nationally. Modeled extreme heat rests at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Against that, modeled tree cover is at the national minimum, homeownership stands in the bottom 5.9% nationally, and households without a vehicle settles in the top 6.2% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs it borders, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plainer terms, extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 14209, just across the boundary.
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
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 79%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 69%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 63%
8%
Disability
healthier than 68%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 86%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 50%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 24%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 34%
11%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 64%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 66%
5%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 42%
14%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 27%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 24%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 21%
8%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 85%
21%
Healthcare Access
in the top 0.00%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 32%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 28%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 39%
8%
Disability
healthier than 33%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
14208
New Yorkshares a border
Score 45.01
Closest healthier
14209
New Yorkshares a border
Score 61.30
Similar health profile
15043
Pennsylvania98% similar profile
Score 54.61
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 | 22.1% | 19.9–24.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.6% | 27.8–33.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.0% | 10.7–13.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.5 |
| Depression among adults | 19.8% | 17.3–22.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.8% | 9.5–12.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 32.0% | 29.1–34.8 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.9% | 29.7–37.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 3.0–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.4% | 13.1–17.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.6% | 5.6–7.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.0% | 72.5–77.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.6% | 78.9–84.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.1% | 83.3–86.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 68.5% | 64.9–71.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.8% | 56.9–62.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 80.2% | 75.5–84.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 17.3% | 14.8–20.0 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.2% | 10.5–13.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.8% | 22.7–28.9 |
| 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 | 18.5% | 16.5–20.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.7% | 15.7–19.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.2% | 10.8–13.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.4% | 11.9–15.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.0% | 22.1–27.9 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.8–4.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–9.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.6–13.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.8–4.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.6% | 23.4–29.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.6% | 18.2–23.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 20.0% | 17.9–22.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.1% | 15.1–19.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.6% | 10.4–13.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.2% | 30.2–38.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 11.8% | 10.5–13.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NY median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 25.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 9.5% (2.5–22.6%) n=1,734 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 5.0% (0.0–13.1%) n=1,734 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 7.1% (1.2–17.5%) n=1,743 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 47.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 31.8% (13.9–62.1%) n=1,743 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.4% (0.0–9.7%) n=1,730 |
| Households without a vehicle | 16.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 5.7% (0.0–28.9%) n=1,730 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 91.5% (81.1–98.3%) n=1,730 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.2% (14.2–45.5%) n=1,730 |
| Homeownership rate | 42.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 80.2% (40.9–94.8%) n=1,730 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.0% (0.0–6.6%) n=1,730 |
| Foreign-born population | 12.0% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.8% (0.0–28.7%) n=1,746 |
| Single-parent households | 39.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 54.0% (36.7–74.5%) n=1,716 |
| Population 65+ | 13.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 20.0% (12.0–33.2%) n=1,746 |
| Median age | 31.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 43.5 yr (34.6–56.1) n=1,733 |
| Median household income | $58,228 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $81,837 ($55,470–$145,610) n=1,626 |
| Median home value | $240,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $247,700 ($121,180–$801,380) n=1,629 |
| Median gross rent | $1,131 | $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 | 77.6 yr ± 0.90 | 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 0.90 years of 77.6, 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