ZIP code
20737
in Riverdale Park, MarylandPopulation 24,489
49.99/ 100
Ranked #16,259 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 49%)
Ranked #390 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (bottom 14.9%)
Ranked #286 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (bottom 7.2%)
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.
Uninsured (under 65)
24.6%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
14.4%
in the top 2.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Transit access
7.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & 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
26%
in the top 3.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
40 per million
in the top 4.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Short sleep
43.4%
in the top 5.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who usually sleep less than seven hours in a 24-hour period.
Full methodology ›Walkability
150 intersections/sq mi
in the top 5.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
31.4%
in the top 5.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
405 units
in the top 5.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›The read
Riverdale Park, Maryland (ZIP 20737), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 49% nationally (16,259th) and the bottom 14.9% of Maryland (390th).
A few readings account for most of this area's strain: modeled uninsured stands in the top 2.4% nationally, crowded housing resides in the top 2.4% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity sits in the top 3.4% nationally. Modeled air-toxics cancer risk stands in the top 4.5% nationally, short sleep resides in the top 5.7% nationally, and food insecurity sits in the top 5.2% nationally. On the better side, transit stands in the top 2.4% nationally, and lead in tap water resides at the national minimum. Walkability sits in the top 5.1% nationally, and subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 5.8% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 20706, 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 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 77%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Disability
healthier than 44%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 41%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 6%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 73%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 73%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 88%
5%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 8%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 2%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Disability
healthier than 14%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 26%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 42%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 58%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 5%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 23%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 3%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 3%
11%
Disability
healthier than 8%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 20%
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
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.
Highest-risk tenth
Air toxics and the years between the two ends of the risk scale
Modeled air-toxics cancer risk is 40.0 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 80.4 ± 2.0 years.
Ranked #504 of the 4,173 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by modeled air-toxics risk, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
20706
Marylandshares a border
Score 56.87
Closest healthier
20740
Marylandshares a border
Score 53.52
Similar health profile
07063
New Jersey98% similar profile
Score 49.67
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 | 19.9% | 18.2–21.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.7% | 30.4–35.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–11.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.2 |
| Depression among adults | 16.3% | 14.4–18.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.6% | 12.2–14.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 33.6% | 31.1–36.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.2% | 38.2–46.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.2% | 3.0–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.2% | 13.7–18.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 24.6% | 21.9–27.4 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 68.5% | 65.9–71.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 71.1% | 68.2–73.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 83.8% | 82.0–85.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 59.2% | 56.0–62.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 49.6% | 46.9–52.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.0% | 72.3–81.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.1% | 12.2–16.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 12.9% | 11.3–14.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 32.6% | 29.6–35.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 43.4% | 40.0–46.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 26.1% | 23.6–28.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.7–17.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.3% | 12.8–15.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.7% | 15.0–18.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 31.1% | 28.3–33.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.2–5.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.1% | 8.2–10.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.4% | 12.9–15.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.8–8.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 28.9% | 26.1–32.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 31.4% | 28.3–34.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 21.6% | 19.2–24.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 26.0% | 23.4–28.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 13.9% | 12.5–15.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 38.7% | 35.4–42.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 14.3% | 12.7–16.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 19.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 37.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 33.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 23.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 12.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 37.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 50.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 14.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 47.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 45.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 8.2% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 31.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $86,951 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $390,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,655 | $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 | 80.4 yr ± 1.02 | 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 1.02 years of 80.4, 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