ZIP code
21050
in Forest Hill, MarylandPopulation 17,466
63.81/ 100
Ranked #2,566 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 8.1%)
Ranked #110 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 24%)
Ranked #54 of 157 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ZIPs (top 34%)
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.
Nitrate in drinking water
15.2%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS97thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams per liter.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.6%
in the bottom 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
7.5%
in the bottom 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST10thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
97.9%
in the top 6.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
4.5%
in the bottom 7.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST14thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$125,208
in the top 8.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST66thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
7.2%
in the bottom 8.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Mammography
81%
in the top 6.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST68thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
10.6%
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
5.7%
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST21stUS7thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Forest Hill, Maryland (ZIP 21050), in overall standing, comes out in the top 8.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,566th) and the top 24% of Maryland (110th).
The measures that most flatter this area set the tone for the rest: modeled transportation resides in the bottom 4.4% nationally, modeled food insecurity sits in the bottom 5.4% nationally, and fiber broadband stands in the top 6.9% nationally. Modeled utility shutoff resides in the bottom 7.6% nationally, household income sits in the top 8.2% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity stands in the bottom 8.8% nationally. Modeled mammography resides in the top 6.7% nationally, and cognitive disability sits in the bottom 7.8% nationally. Modeled independent living disability stands in the bottom 6.8% nationally. Against that, modeled nitrate resides in the top 2.6% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 21047, just across the boundary. Beyond that, the ZIP 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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 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 73%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 93%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 91%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 89%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 76%
8%
Disability
healthier than 92%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 60%
14%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 32%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 81%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 80%
11%
Disability
healthier than 79%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 46%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 50%
8%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 23%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 70%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 71%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 63%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 78%
11%
Disability
healthier than 67%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 73%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 51%
21%
Mental Health
healthier than 52%
8%
Holding it back
Healthcare Access
healthier than 23%
5%
“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
One of our published findings lists 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 its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 82.3 ± 1.8 years. The 48 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.6 years — 3.7 years above them.
Ranked #442 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
21014
Marylandshares a border
Score 62.03
Closest healthier
21047
Marylandshares a border
Score 65.11
Similar health profile
21071
Maryland100% similar profile
Score 65.43
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 | 28.0% | 25.3–30.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 34.2% | 31.0–37.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.9% | 9.0–10.8 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.9% | 8.8–11.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.6% | 5.0–6.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.7% | 5.0–6.4 |
| Depression among adults | 22.0% | 19.2–24.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.3% | 8.9–11.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.8% | 37.4–44.1 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.9% | 28.3–37.5 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.9% | 5.7–8.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.2% | 4.3–6.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.5% | 73.5–79.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.9% | 76.8–82.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.7% | 89.3–91.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.9% | 68.2–75.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 69.6% | 66.8–72.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.0% | 75.9–85.5 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.2% | 12.8–17.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.5% | 8.1–11.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.0% | 15.3–20.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.3% | 30.2–38.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.7% | 12.0–15.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.6% | 12.9–16.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.4% | 10.1–12.8 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.4–11.9 |
| Any disability among adults | 22.7% | 19.9–25.5 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.2% | 5.5–6.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.7% | 5.1–6.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.0% | 8.7–11.5 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.6% | 2.3–2.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.1% | 16.4–22.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.2–8.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.4–6.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.2% | 6.0–8.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.6% | 4.0–5.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.5% | 26.4–34.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.5% | 3.8–5.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 4.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 45.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 48.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 20.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 44.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $125,208 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $456,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,697 | $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 | 82.3 yr ± 0.90 | 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 0.90 years of 82.3, 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