ZIP code
20817
in Bethesda, MarylandPopulation 37,454
75.41/ 100
Ranked #33 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 0.2%)
Ranked #5 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 1.1%)
Ranked #4 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (top 1.3%)
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
$249,332
in the top 0.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS99thDefinition & 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
3.4%
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
3.2%
in the bottom 0.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
5.7%
in the bottom 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
5.3%
in the bottom 1.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Obesity
22.2%
in the bottom 2.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
7.3%
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
4.0%
in the bottom 0.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Mobility disability
7.7%
in the bottom 2.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
1.1%
in the bottom 1.4% 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
ZIP 20817, one of several in Bethesda, Maryland, by its composite score, sits in the top 0.2% healthiest ZIPs nationally (33rd) and the top 1.1% of Maryland (5th).
The measures fall on both sides for this area, fairly evenly: household income settles in the top 0.4% nationally, and modeled transportation sits in the bottom 0.3% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff lies in the bottom 0.9% nationally, and food insecurity rests in the bottom 1.0% nationally. Modeled housing insecurity resides in the bottom 1.1% nationally, obesity is in the bottom 2.2% nationally, and cognitive disability lands in the bottom 0.3% nationally. Modeled independent living disability stands in the bottom 0.3% nationally, mobility disability registers in the bottom 2.7% nationally, and energy burden settles in the bottom 1.4% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 20814, just across the boundary. The area further 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 90%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
in the top 0.6%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 97%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.4%
11%
Mental Health
in the top 0.8%
8%
Disability
healthier than 99%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 64%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 45%
14%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 91%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 99%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
in the top 0.9%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 98%
8%
Disability
healthier than 97%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 74%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 68%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 93%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 94%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 99%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 99%
8%
Disability
healthier than 91%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 36%
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 87.5 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $249,332 predicts 83.7 years — 3.8 years above.
Ranked #212 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 87.5 ± 1.5 years. The 47 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 83.2 years — 4.4 years above them.
Ranked #254 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 37.4 cases per million — among the tenth of compared ZIP codes with the most. Estimated life expectancy is 87.5 ± 1.5 years.
Ranked #1,794 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
20812
Marylandshares a border
Score 71.99
Closest healthier
20814
Marylandshares a border
Score 75.80
Similar health profile
60045
Illinois100% similar profile
Score 71.80
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 | 22.6% | 20.7–24.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.3% | 29.0–33.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.7% | 8.9–10.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 8.7% | 7.8–9.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.1% | 4.6–5.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.7% | 3.2–4.1 |
| Depression among adults | 17.1% | 15.2–18.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.1% | 8.1–10.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 43.6% | 40.8–46.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 22.2% | 19.4–24.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.5% | 2.3–2.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 3.5% | 2.8–4.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.4% | 3.8–5.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.1% | 75.5–80.4 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.7% | 77.4–81.7 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 93.6% | 92.8–94.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.8% | 69.1–74.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 77.9% | 76.0–79.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.5% | 77.6–85.1 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.6% | 11.9–15.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 4.8% | 4.1–5.5 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 13.9% | 12.3–15.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 28.7% | 26.0–31.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 10.9% | 9.7–12.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 9.9% | 8.9–10.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 8.8% | 7.9–9.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.5–8.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 18.4% | 16.6–20.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.4% | 4.9–6.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.5–4.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 7.7% | 6.9–8.7 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.0% | 1.8–2.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.7% | 2.4–2.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 17.2% | 15.3–19.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 5.7% | 4.9–6.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 3.3% | 2.8–3.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.6–6.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 3.4% | 3.0–3.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.4% | 25.7–31.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 3.2% | 2.8–3.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 1.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 85.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.7% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 97.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.8% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 81.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 28.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 48.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 20.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 45.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $249,332 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $1,183,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $3,185 | $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 | 87.5 yr ± 0.77 | 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 0.77 years of 87.5, 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