ZIP code
20912
in Takoma Park, MarylandPopulation 25,749
59.22/ 100
Ranked #5,429 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 17%)
Ranked #211 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 46%)
Ranked #201 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (bottom 35%)
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
654 units
in the top 3.1% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Walkability
160 intersections/sq mi
in the top 4.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST95thUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
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 ›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 ›Households without a vehicle
16%
in the top 6.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
44.9%
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Physician access
2 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Hearing disability
5.0%
in the bottom 6.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST24thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Crowded housing
7.0%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes with more than one person per room, the Census definition of crowded housing.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite health measure, Takoma Park, Maryland (ZIP 20912) ranks in the top 17% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,429th) and the top 46% of Maryland (211th).
A handful of measures stand out most sharply across the profile here: subsidized affordable housing is in the top 3.1% nationally, and walkability settles in the top 4.3% nationally. Lead in tap water resides at the national minimum, and physicians registers in the top 7.5% nationally. Modeled hearing disability rests in the bottom 6.4% nationally. On the other side, modeled air-toxics cancer risk stands in the top 4.5% nationally, PFAS in drinking water lies at the national maximum, and households without a vehicle lands in the top 6.5% nationally. Homeownership sits in the bottom 6.8% nationally, and crowded housing is in the top 8.6% nationally.
Read against the ZIPs closest to it, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To spell things out, 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. PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Close by, ZIP 20012, just across the boundary, ranks healthier overall.
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%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 69%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 76%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 87%
8%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 79%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 42%
14%
Holding it back
Preventive Care
healthier than 39%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 72%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 71%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 95%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 91%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 44%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 56%
11%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Disability
healthier than 39%
7%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 98%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 86%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 41%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 26%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 37%
11%
Disability
healthier than 26%
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 ›
Findings that name this ZIP
2 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 81.4 ± 1.7 years. A median household income of $83,870 predicts 79.4 years — 2.0 years above.
Ranked #947 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, 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 81.4 ± 1.7 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
20901
Marylandshares a border
Score 64.81
Similar health profile
94564
California99% similar profile
Score 61.74
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 | 21.9% | 20.3–23.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.8% | 32.7–36.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.7% | 9.7–11.6 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.1 |
| Depression among adults | 18.8% | 17.0–20.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.1% | 11.1–13.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.0% | 36.7–41.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.4% | 30.3–36.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.3% | 3.1–3.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.7% | 8.3–11.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 13.2% | 11.7–14.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.7% | 71.5–75.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.1% | 73.9–78.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.7% | 87.6–89.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.2% | 62.4–67.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.6% | 58.4–62.9 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.9% | 73.8–81.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.6% | 12.1–15.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.6% | 9.4–11.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 23.8% | 21.6–25.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.4% | 35.6–41.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.4% | 18.7–22.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.7% | 13.5–16.0 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.5% | 11.4–13.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.3% | 12.1–14.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.5% | 24.3–28.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.5–5.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.1% | 11.0–13.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.6% | 5.2–6.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.6% | 22.5–26.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 20.4% | 18.6–22.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 15.9% | 14.4–17.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 17.3% | 15.8–19.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 9.8% | 8.9–10.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.9% | 32.3–37.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.3% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 18.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 13.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 51.7% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 16.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 39.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 44.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 7.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 34.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 36.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 11.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 38.2 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $83,870 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $699,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,465 | $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 | 81.4 yr ± 0.87 | 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 0.87 years of 81.4, 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