ZIP code
21132
in Pylesville, MarylandPopulation 3,160
58.92/ 100
Ranked #5,658 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 18%)
Ranked #218 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 48%)
Ranked #102 of 157 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 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.
Nitrate in drinking water
24.2%
in the top 2.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Median household income
$132,288
in the top 6.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST71stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Homeownership rate
98.1%
in the top 5.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of occupied homes that are owned, rather than rented, by the people living in them.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
72.8%
in the top 7.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST79thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
6.8%
in the bottom 7.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST24thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 14.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS86thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Distance to a nursing home
7.6 mi
in the top 18% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS82ndDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Full methodology ›Arsenic in groundwater
1.8%
in the bottom 21% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS21stDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms 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 ›Distance to a community health center
9 mi
in the top 23% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS77thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest federally funded community health center, which serves patients regardless of ability to pay.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
0.27%
in the top 32% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS68thDefinition & source ›
The share of days in the year when modeled fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution was above the EPA’s daily limit of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
Full methodology ›The read
In overall standing, Pylesville, Maryland (ZIP 21132) comes out in the top 18% healthiest ZIPs nationally (5,658th) and the top 48% of Maryland (218th).
Both sides of the picture show up plainly in this area's numbers: household income sits in the top 6.6% nationally, homeownership settles in the top 5.6% nationally, and modeled colon screening registers in the top 7.9% nationally. Modeled transportation stands in the bottom 11.1% nationally, food insecurity lands in the bottom 11.6% nationally, and tooth loss is in the bottom 7.4% nationally. Crowded housing resides at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs. Modeled utility shutoff rests in the bottom 14.9% nationally. By contrast, modeled nitrate lies in the top 2.0% nationally, and industrial-pollution burden sits in the top 14.3% nationally.
In plain terms, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. The nearest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 21161, 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 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 65%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 85%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 87%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 81%
11%
Disability
healthier than 85%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 67%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 37%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 18%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 65%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 64%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 63%
11%
Disability
healthier than 61%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 51%
21%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 17%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 23%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 5%
5%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 75%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 46%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 54%
11%
Disability
healthier than 41%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 25%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 5%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
17321
Pennsylvaniashares a border
Score 52.24
Closest healthier
21161
Marylandshares a border
Score 60.62
Similar health profile
45316
Ohio99% similar profile
Score 59.99
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 | 29.3% | 26.5–32.0 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.4% | 32.2–38.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.8% | 8.8–10.7 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.3% | 9.2–11.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.4–6.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.7% | 5.8–7.8 |
| Depression among adults | 23.4% | 20.6–26.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.0% | 9.6–12.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 41.4% | 38.0–44.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.7% | 30.1–39.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.4 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.8% | 5.5–8.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.8% | 4.7–7.1 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.2% | 72.9–78.8 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.2% | 76.0–81.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.9% | 88.3–91.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.8% | 69.1–76.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 67.5% | 64.6–70.5 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.7% | 74.2–84.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.3% | 12.8–17.8 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.7% | 9.7–13.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 19.7% | 16.7–23.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.4% | 31.2–39.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 15.4% | 13.2–17.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.0% | 14.2–17.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.7% | 11.2–14.3 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.0% | 10.4–13.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 24.6% | 21.6–28.1 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.5% | 5.8–7.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.4% | 5.6–7.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.1% | 9.6–12.8 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.1–3.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 20.1% | 17.0–23.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.8% | 7.2–10.6 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 6.7% | 5.4–8.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 6.7–9.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.3% | 4.5–6.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.3% | 27.0–35.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.1% | 4.3–6.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.2% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 37.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 0.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 0.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 91.6% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 21.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 98.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 2.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 47.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 12.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 41.0 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $132,288 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $485,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | — | $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 | 78.0 yr ± 1.23 | 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 1.23 years of 78.0, 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