ZIP code
20877
in Gaithersburg, MarylandPopulation 38,546
58.59/ 100
Ranked #5,910 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 18%)
Ranked #227 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 50%)
Ranked #208 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (bottom 32%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
908 units
in the top 1.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
1.3 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of dental 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 ›Mental-health provider access
0.21 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›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 ›Loud transportation noise
2.6%
in the top 4.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were detected in EPA testing.
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 ›Crowded housing
8.9%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›Uninsured (under 65)
17.9%
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 18–64 with no current health-insurance coverage.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
43.1%
in the bottom 6.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Housing-cost burden
43.7%
in the top 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, ZIP 20877, one of several in Gaithersburg, Maryland comes out in the top 18% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,910th) and the top 50% of Maryland (227th).
The profile opens balanced, with readings on either hand: subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 1.7% nationally, dental providers lands in the top 3.6% nationally, and mental-health providers is in the top 3.8% nationally. Lead in tap water resides at the national minimum. By contrast, modeled loud transportation noise rests in the top 4.9% nationally, and PFAS in drinking water lies at the national maximum. Crowded housing sits in the top 5.6% nationally, and modeled uninsured settles in the top 6.5% nationally. Homeownership registers in the bottom 6.1% nationally, and housing-cost burden stands in the top 6.4% nationally.
Relative to the ZIPs around it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain terms, lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 20850, 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 83%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 66%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 77%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 91%
8%
Disability
healthier than 62%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 66%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 47%
14%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 80%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 79%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 58%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Disability
healthier than 28%
7%
Lifting this score
Mental Health
healthier than 66%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 89%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 51%
21%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 21%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 40%
11%
Disability
healthier than 17%
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
20850
Marylandshares a border
Score 71.67
Closest healthier
20855
Marylandshares a border
Score 69.51
Similar health profile
94014
California98% similar profile
Score 64.86
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 | 20.0% | 18.4–21.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 32.6% | 30.3–34.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.7% | 5.2–6.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.1–6.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.4% | 4.8–6.0 |
| Depression among adults | 17.7% | 15.8–19.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.4% | 11.1–13.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.6% | 37.1–42.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 29.9% | 26.5–33.2 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 3.0–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.6% | 8.9–12.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 17.9% | 15.8–20.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.0% | 70.5–75.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 74.2% | 71.6–76.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.0% | 85.5–88.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.2% | 59.1–65.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 57.9% | 55.4–60.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 76.4% | 71.8–80.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.1% | 11.4–14.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.2% | 8.9–11.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 26.7% | 24.0–29.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.1% | 34.1–40.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.3% | 20.3–24.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.6% | 13.1–16.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.0% | 11.7–14.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.3% | 12.9–15.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 28.5% | 26.1–31.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.2–6.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.4% | 11.2–13.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.8–6.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 26.6% | 24.0–29.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 22.9% | 20.4–25.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 16.2% | 14.4–18.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.6% | 16.5–20.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 9.3–11.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.6% | 33.5–39.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.2% | 9.0–11.5 |
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 | 29.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 25.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 33.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 14.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 43.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 43.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 8.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 48.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 37.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 14.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 36.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $92,800 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $474,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,887 | $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 | 80.8 yr ± 0.72 | 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 0.72 years of 80.8, 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