ZIP code
21212
in Baltimore, MarylandPopulation 33,974
61.37/ 100
Ranked #3,893 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 12.2%)
Ranked #160 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 35%)
Ranked #83 of 157 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ZIPs (bottom 47%)
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.
Walkability
200 intersections/sq mi
in the top 2.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
588 units
in the top 3.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS96thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Transit access
5.1 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of public-transit stops 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
4.8%
in the bottom 5.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST20thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Mammography
81.7%
in the top 4.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST77thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
0.39%
in the bottom 9.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST4thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Fatal road crashes
2.6 per 100,000 residents per year
in the bottom 9.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS9thDefinition & source ›
The annual rate of fatal road crashes per 100,000 residents, pooled over a ten-year window.
A rate per resident population. Where a ZIP has too few residents for the rate to be reliable — about 30% of US ZIPs — no value is published rather than an unstable one; those ZIPs are absent from this comparison, not counted as crash-free.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
13.1%
in the top 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Elder-services access
0.15 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The number of services for older adults and people with disabilities 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 ›Colon-cancer screening
72.3%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST75thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›The read
On the composite measure, ZIP 21212, one of several in Baltimore, Maryland stands in the top 12.2% healthiest ZIPs nationally (3,893rd) and the top 35% of Maryland (160th).
Several of the strongest readings define how this area looks: walkability sits in the top 2.6% nationally, and subsidized affordable housing resides in the top 3.6% nationally. Transit stands in the top 4.8% nationally, and modeled hearing disability sits in the bottom 5.0% nationally. Modeled mammography resides in the top 4.7% nationally, floodplain exposure stands in the bottom 9.1% nationally, and fatal road crashes sits in the bottom 9.2% nationally. Elder services resides in the top 9.8% nationally, and modeled colon screening stands in the top 9.5% nationally. On the other hand, households without a vehicle sits in the top 9.3% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, walkability runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". ZIP 21204, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 74%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 73%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 69%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 89%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 79%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 68%
8%
Disability
healthier than 83%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 74%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 66%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 69%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 92%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 83%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 48%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 58%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 60%
11%
Disability
healthier than 57%
7%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 84%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 92%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 80%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 53%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 58%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 49%
11%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 31%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Disability
healthier than 37%
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 78.7 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $96,685 predicts 79.9 years — 1.3 years below.
Ranked #1,617 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 78.7 ± 1.1 years. The 43 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.9 years — 1.8 years above them.
Ranked #1,459 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
21204
Marylandshares a border
Score 64.27
Closest healthier
21210
Marylandshares a border
Score 71.24
Similar health profile
12831
New York99% similar profile
Score 62.92
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 | 25.0% | 23.3–26.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.3% | 33.1–37.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.4% | 6.9–7.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.4% | 10.5–12.4 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.4% | 5.0–5.8 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.0 |
| Depression among adults | 22.1% | 20.2–24.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.5% | 10.5–12.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.5% | 34.3–38.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 32.3% | 29.3–35.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.7% | 8.3–11.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 6.7% | 5.8–7.6 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.0% | 75.1–78.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.6% | 78.7–82.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.8% | 88.7–90.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 72.3% | 69.8–74.5 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 65.4% | 63.3–67.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 81.7% | 78.2–84.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.7% | 14.1–17.4 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.8 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.1% | 19.1–23.2 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.7% | 33.0–38.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.5% | 15.1–18.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.5% | 14.3–16.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.1% | 10.2–12.1 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.1% | 11.0–13.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.0% | 24.0–28.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.4–5.2 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.8% | 6.2–7.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.2% | 11.1–13.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.4% | 3.1–3.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.3% | 4.0–4.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 24.3% | 22.1–26.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.1% | 13.5–16.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.4–14.5 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.5% | 12.1–14.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 7.3–9.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 36.2% | 33.4–39.1 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.5 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 8.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 56.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 13.1% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 93.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 26.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 68.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.1% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 8.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 38.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 16.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 38.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $96,685 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $373,700 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,368 | $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 | 78.6 yr ± 0.56 | 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 0.56 years of 78.6, 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