ZIP code
21146
in Severna Park, MarylandPopulation 28,591
67.49/ 100
Ranked #1,137 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 3.6%)
Ranked #49 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 10.7%)
Ranked #20 of 157 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ZIPs (top 12.8%)
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.
Median household income
$172,122
in the top 2.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST90thUS98thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›PFAS in drinking water
84.8%
in the top 1.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›Mammography
84.8%
in the top 0.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Lack of transportation
4.1%
in the bottom 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
7.0%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
6.4%
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Utility shut-off threat
4.1%
in the bottom 4.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults whose household was threatened with a utility shut-off in the past 12 months.
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 ›Cognitive disability
9.7%
in the bottom 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Fiber broadband
98.2%
in the top 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The share of homes where fiber-optic internet service is available.
Full methodology ›The read
Severna Park, Maryland (ZIP 21146), in overall standing, comes out in the top 3.6% healthiest ZIPs nationally (1,137th) and the top 10.7% of Maryland (49th).
A balanced showing across the data, with a few readings each side: household income lies in the top 2.2% nationally, modeled mammography registers in the top 0.7% nationally, and modeled transportation is in the bottom 1.9% nationally. Modeled food insecurity lies in the bottom 3.6% nationally, housing insecurity registers in the bottom 4.0% nationally, and utility shutoff is in the bottom 4.4% nationally. Lead in tap water lies at the national minimum, and modeled cognitive disability registers in the bottom 4.0% nationally. Fiber broadband is in the top 6.3% nationally. On the other hand, modeled pfas lies in the top 1.0% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Lead in tap water is the EPA trigger, 15 parts per billion in tap samples, above which a water system must act on lead. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 21405, less than a tenth of a mile away. 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 80%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 99%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 64%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 96%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 88%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 91%
8%
Disability
healthier than 95%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 62%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 77%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 96%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 90%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 76%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 80%
8%
Disability
healthier than 86%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 64%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 50%
14%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 16%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 71%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 95%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 77%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 88%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 88%
8%
Disability
healthier than 80%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 61%
5%
Holding it back
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 12%
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 80.4 ± 0.9 years. A median household income of $172,122 predicts 82.2 years — 1.8 years below.
Ranked #2,250 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
21012
Marylandshares a border
Score 66.95
Closest healthier
21405
Marylandless than 0.1 mi away
Score 67.73
Similar health profile
20632
Maryland99% similar profile
Score 58.70
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 | 27.1% | 24.8–29.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.9% | 31.2–36.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.7% | 9.8–11.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.6% | 8.6–10.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.9% | 4.3–5.5 |
| Depression among adults | 20.0% | 17.8–22.4 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.6% | 34.8–40.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.0% | 27.4–34.8 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–2.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 5.8% | 4.7–7.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 4.7% | 3.9–5.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.0% | 74.3–79.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.9% | 78.5–83.2 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 92.0% | 91.0–93.0 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 71.2% | 68.0–74.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 74.1% | 71.6–76.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 84.8% | 80.9–88.3 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.6% | 14.4–18.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 8.7% | 7.4–10.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 17.0% | 14.8–19.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 34.4% | 30.9–37.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.3% | 11.8–14.9 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 12.8% | 11.5–14.3 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.9% | 9.7–12.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.6–10.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 23.5% | 21.1–26.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.9% | 5.3–6.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.2% | 4.6–5.8 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 10.1% | 8.9–11.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.3% | 2.1–2.6 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 18.3% | 16.1–20.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.0–8.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 4.7% | 4.0–5.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 6.4% | 5.5–7.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.1% | 27.1–33.6 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.7 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 2.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 2.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 3.5% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 60.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.4% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.5% | 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) | 20.9% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 89.4% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.5% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 4.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 41.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 17.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 41.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $172,122 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $659,800 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,733 | $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 | 80.4 yr ± 0.46 | 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 0.46 years of 80.4, 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