ZIP code
20910
in Silver Spring, MarylandPopulation 45,943
71.07/ 100
Ranked #405 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 1.3%)
Ranked #22 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 4.9%)
Ranked #49 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (top 16%)
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
1,563 units
in the top 0.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Mental-health provider access
0.29 per 1,000 residents
in the top 2.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Hearing disability
3.7%
in the bottom 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
3.6%
in the bottom 2.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
7.0%
in the bottom 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Outpatient-care access
0.77 per 1,000 residents
in the top 3.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of outpatient 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 ›Transportation noise
16.4%
in the top 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
35.5%
in the bottom 4.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Dental provider access
1.2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.3% 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 ›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 ›The read
Judged by its overall standing, ZIP 20910, one of several in Silver Spring, Maryland sits in the top 1.3% healthiest ZIPs nationally (405th) and the top 4.9% of Maryland (22nd).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: subsidized affordable housing stands in the top 0.6% nationally, mental-health providers resides in the top 2.3% nationally, and modeled hearing disability sits in the bottom 1.6% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease stands in the bottom 2.3% nationally, modeled mobility disability resides in the bottom 1.9% nationally, and outpatient sits in the top 3.3% nationally. Dental providers stands in the top 4.3% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled transportation noise resides in the top 3.6% nationally, and homeownership sits in the bottom 4.2% nationally. Modeled air-toxics cancer risk stands in the top 4.5% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, subsidized affordable housing runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put plainly, air-toxics cancer risk is a modeled EPA estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air, per million people. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 20815, 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 97%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 98%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 95%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 93%
8%
Disability
healthier than 99%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 62%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 18%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 97%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 95%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 89%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 83%
8%
Disability
healthier than 96%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 47%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 5%
14%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 87%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 80%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 74%
8%
Disability
healthier than 88%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 77%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
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 82.9 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $112,134 predicts 80.5 years — 2.4 years above.
Ranked #736 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Heavy environment, light chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 18.4; chronic-disease standing 96.5 (top 10%) — 78 points apart, heavier on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #17,055 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, 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 82.9 ± 1.4 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
20012
District of Columbiashares a border
Score 63.78
Closest healthier
20815
Marylandshares a border
Score 73.35
Similar health profile
30319
Georgia100% similar profile
Score 70.50
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 | 17.3% | 15.8–18.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 27.6% | 25.6–29.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.3 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 8.9–10.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 3.6% | 3.3–4.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.3% | 2.9–3.6 |
| Depression among adults | 18.9% | 16.9–20.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 7.9% | 7.1–8.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 35.3% | 32.9–37.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 26.9% | 23.9–30.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.1% | 2.0–2.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 4.9% | 4.1–5.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.9–7.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 70.7% | 68.2–73.0 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 75.7% | 73.1–78.0 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.3% | 89.1–91.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.0% | 68.3–73.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 71.1% | 68.9–73.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 82.3% | 78.5–85.8 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.7% | 13.7–17.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 6.1% | 5.3–6.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 15.1% | 13.4–16.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.9% | 31.0–36.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.3% | 11.1–13.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 12.9% | 11.7–14.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 8.7% | 7.8–9.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.7–10.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 18.8% | 17.1–20.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.3–4.1 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 7.0% | 6.3–7.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.2% | 2.0–2.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.9–3.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.8% | 18.7–23.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.5% | 9.1–11.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.3–8.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 9.1–11.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.2–6.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.0% | 30.2–36.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–7.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.7% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 73.6% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 19.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 37.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 35.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 25.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 45.6% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 13.3% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 35.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $112,134 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $730,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $2,022 | $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 | 82.9 yr ± 0.73 | 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 0.73 years of 82.9, 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