ZIP code
20705
in Beltsville, MarylandPopulation 28,713
59.98/ 100
Ranked #4,887 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 15%)
Ranked #196 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 43%)
Ranked #192 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (bottom 38%)
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 ›Lead in tap water
0 ppb
at the national minimum
Lower is healthier
US1stDefinition & source ›
The lead level at the 90th percentile of tap-water samples reported by the public water systems serving this ZIP, in parts per billion — the EPA requires action above 15 ppb.
Measured from EPA records for the public water systems that serve this ZIP. Households on private wells — roughly 30% of the US population — are not covered by this measure, and this figure says nothing about their water.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
4.5%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
97.6%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST79thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
36.3 per million
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
4.8%
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
15.0%
in the top 11.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS89thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Beltsville, Maryland (ZIP 20705) lands in the top 15% healthiest ZIPs nationally (4,887th) and the top 43% of Maryland (196th).
The picture here is genuinely mixed, with readings on both sides: lead in tap water resides at the national minimum, and modeled hearing disability registers in the bottom 3.6% nationally. Home broadband subscription rests in the top 8.6% nationally, and modeled coronary heart disease stands in the bottom 7.8% nationally. Distance to a community health center lies at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Walkability lands in the top 11.9% nationally. On the other side, distance to a Superfund site sits at the national minimum, modeled air-toxics cancer risk is in the top 8.6% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity settles in the top 11.7% nationally. Modeled short sleep resides in the top 11.6% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 20707, 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 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 80%
21%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 66%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 97%
8%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 35%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 76%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 91%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Disability
healthier than 50%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 45%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 33%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 10%
13%
Lifting this score
Mental Health
healthier than 87%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 45%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 47%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 13%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Disability
healthier than 37%
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
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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 82.3 ± 1.7 years. A median household income of $110,351 predicts 80.5 years — 1.8 years above.
Ranked #1,031 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
20707
Marylandshares a border
Score 61.49
Closest healthier
20769
Marylandshares a border
Score 65.06
Similar health profile
30039
Georgia99% similar profile
Score 56.22
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 | 21.7% | 19.9–23.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.1% | 31.7–36.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.2% | 4.8–5.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 9.4–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.4 |
| Depression among adults | 15.0% | 13.2–16.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.0% | 11.7–14.2 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.5% | 32.9–38.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.4% | 34.7–42.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.5% | 8.8–12.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 15.0% | 13.1–16.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.0% | 70.4–75.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.2% | 72.5–77.6 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.4% | 87.0–89.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.4% | 62.3–68.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 59.6% | 57.0–62.1 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.8% | 75.6–83.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.3% | 11.5–15.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.9% | 8.6–11.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.2% | 23.5–28.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 41.3% | 38.1–44.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 19.7% | 17.8–21.7 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.9% | 12.6–15.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.1% | 10.8–13.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.6% | 11.2–13.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 25.8% | 23.3–28.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.5% | 4.1–5.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.2–7.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.4% | 11.1–13.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.3% | 23.7–29.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.8% | 18.6–23.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.3% | 11.7–15.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.3% | 16.3–20.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.6% | 8.5–10.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.9% | 32.7–39.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 15.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 21.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 34.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 97.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 67.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 42.3% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 40.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 14.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 37.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $110,351 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $446,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,814 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $1,626 ($958–$2,415) n=339 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 82.3 yr ± 0.88 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 79.5 yr (75.7–82.7) n=451 |
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 82.3, 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