ZIP code
20815
in Chevy Chase, MarylandPopulation 30,505
73.35/ 100
Ranked #143 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 0.5%)
Ranked #13 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 2.9%)
Ranked #24 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (top 7.8%)
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.
Median household income
$194,971
in the top 1.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
3.7%
in the bottom 0.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
3.4%
in the bottom 1.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
6.0%
in the bottom 1.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
5.6%
in the bottom 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Obesity
23.1%
in the bottom 3.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
7.9%
in the bottom 0.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Physician access
3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of physicians’ offices 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 ›Independent-living disability
4.4%
in the bottom 0.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
1.0%
in the bottom 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›The read
In its overall standing, Chevy Chase, Maryland (ZIP 20815) lands in the top 0.5% healthiest ZIPs nationally (143rd) and the top 2.9% of Maryland (13th).
Reading the numbers as a whole, the picture lands somewhere in between: household income sits in the top 1.2% nationally, modeled transportation lands in the bottom 0.8% nationally, and modeled utility shutoff lies in the bottom 1.3% nationally. Modeled food insecurity stands in the bottom 1.5% nationally, housing insecurity rests in the bottom 1.6% nationally, and obesity registers in the bottom 3.1% nationally. Modeled cognitive disability resides in the bottom 0.6% nationally, and physicians settles in the top 3.4% nationally. Modeled independent living disability is in the bottom 0.8% nationally, and energy burden sits in the bottom 1.1% nationally.
Against the wider neighborhood, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put simply, energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. On the overall standing, ZIP 20015, just across the boundary, ranks healthier. In the round, the area also sits on the healthier half of the national range on at least seven of the ten good-life measures tracked here, from quiet and green space to nearby care, a combination reached by about one in twenty-five US ZIP codes.
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 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.9%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.4%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 98%
8%
Disability
healthier than 98%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 52%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 39%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 98%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 93%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 99%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 95%
8%
Disability
healthier than 94%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 43%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 91%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 95%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 98%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 94%
8%
Disability
healthier than 85%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 59%
21%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 26%
14%
“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
3 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.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 86.2 ± 1.2 years. A median household income of $194,971 predicts 82.7 years — 3.5 years above.
Ranked #300 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 86.2 ± 1.2 years. The 44 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 82.3 years — 3.9 years above them.
Ranked #412 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
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 86.2 ± 1.2 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
20015
District of Columbiashares a border
Score 73.73
Closest healthier
20814
Marylandshares a border
Score 75.80
Similar health profile
60035
Illinois100% similar profile
Score 70.88
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 | 24.2% | 22.2–26.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.2% | 29.9–34.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.7% | 9.9–11.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.2% | 3.7–4.7 |
| Depression among adults | 18.2% | 16.2–20.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.0% | 8.0–10.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 43.2% | 40.6–45.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 23.1% | 20.2–25.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–3.0 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 3.0% | 2.5–3.7 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.8% | 4.2–5.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.6% | 76.1–80.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.5% | 77.3–81.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 93.0% | 92.1–93.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 74.6% | 72.0–77.1 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 76.9% | 75.0–78.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.0% | 78.2–85.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.8% | 12.1–15.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 14.2% | 12.6–16.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.1% | 25.5–30.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 11.5% | 10.3–12.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 10.5% | 9.5–11.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 9.3% | 8.3–10.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 20.1% | 18.2–22.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.4–6.7 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–5.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 8.5% | 7.5–9.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.1% | 1.9–2.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 16.6% | 14.8–18.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.0% | 5.2–6.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 3.8% | 3.2–4.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.9–6.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.8% | 26.1–31.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.9 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.7% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 84.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 10.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 97.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 31.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.3% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 18.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 50.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 25.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 46.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $194,971 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $1,294,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $2,488 | $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 | 86.2 yr ± 0.60 | 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 0.60 years of 86.2, 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