ZIP code
21222
in Dundalk, MarylandPopulation 59,407
42.52/ 100
Ranked #24,800 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 23%)
Ranked #444 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (bottom 3.1%)
Ranked #150 of 157 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ZIPs (bottom 4.5%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Superfund site — an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has listed for cleanup.
Full methodology ›Subsidized affordable housing
656 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
140 intersections/sq mi
in the top 5.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST93rdUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Transit access
3.8 per 1,000 residents
in the top 7.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST86thUS92ndDefinition & 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 ›Outer-floodplain exposure
4.1%
in the top 8.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 0.2%-annual-chance flood band — the “500-year” zone, a lower but real 1-in-500 yearly chance.
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 ›Radon
0.6 pCi/L
in the bottom 1.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Households without a vehicle
12.7%
in the top 9.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with no vehicle available.
Full methodology ›Housing insecurity
18.8%
in the top 10.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS89thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
23.8%
in the top 12.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS87thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 12.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS87thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›The read
Dundalk, Maryland (ZIP 21222), in overall standing, comes out in the bottom 23% nationally (24,800th) and the bottom 3.1% of Maryland (444th).
A balanced showing across the data, with a few readings each side: subsidized affordable housing settles in the top 3.1% nationally, walkability lands in the top 5.7% nationally, and transit rests in the top 7.9% nationally. Modeled radon settles in the bottom 1.9% nationally. On the other hand, distance to a Superfund site lands at the national minimum, and outer-floodplain exposure rests in the top 8.6% nationally. Households without a vehicle settles in the top 9.9% nationally, and modeled housing insecurity lands in the top 10.8% nationally. Modeled loneliness rests in the top 12.0% nationally, and food insecurity settles in the top 12.8% nationally.
Set within its surrounding area, outer-floodplain exposure runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined simply, for reference, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. The closest healthier ZIP overall is ZIP 21219, 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
Healthcare Access
healthier than 81%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 18%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 21%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 25%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 25%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Disability
healthier than 29%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 84%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 20%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 7%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 6%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 7%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 8%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 3%
8%
Disability
healthier than 6%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 6%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 9%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 12%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 5%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 6%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 3%
8%
Disability
healthier than 5%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 21%
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
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 73.7 ± 0.9 years. A median household income of $64,141 predicts 78.3 years — 4.7 years below.
Ranked #5,412 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Below its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 73.7 ± 0.9 years. The 44 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 76.5 years — 2.8 years below them.
Ranked #2,213 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
21219
Marylandshares a border
Score 55.60
Closest healthier
21221
Marylandshares a border
Score 49.29
Similar health profile
47305
Indiana97% similar profile
Score 27.11
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 | 29.7% | 27.9–31.6 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 37.8% | 35.6–40.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.8% | 7.3–8.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 12.0% | 10.9–13.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.6% | 7.0–8.2 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.9% | 9.1–10.8 |
| Depression among adults | 24.9% | 22.7–27.2 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.6% | 13.3–15.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.4% | 36.2–40.7 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.9% | 34.5–41.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.2% | 3.9–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 16.7% | 14.3–19.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 12.7% | 11.4–14.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.4% | 73.3–77.5 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.2% | 75.0–79.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 85.1% | 83.7–86.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.0% | 61.8–68.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 51.6% | 48.9–54.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.6% | 69.7–79.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.7% | 12.1–15.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.8% | 16.1–19.6 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 33.6% | 31.0–36.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.9% | 35.8–42.2 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 25.3% | 23.4–27.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 20.2% | 18.6–21.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.6% | 14.3–17.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 17.6% | 16.1–19.1 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.7% | 31.3–36.3 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.3% | 6.7–8.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 10.5% | 9.7–11.5 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.7% | 15.3–18.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.8–5.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 6.5% | 6.0–7.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 27.4% | 24.8–30.1 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 23.8% | 21.5–26.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 20.9% | 18.8–22.9 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 18.8% | 16.8–20.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 11.8% | 10.6–13.0 |
| Loneliness among adults | 37.1% | 33.9–40.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 12.0% | 10.7–13.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 17.0% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 11.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 16.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 14.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 7.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 12.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 87.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 37.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 64.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 9.7% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 39.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 15.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 36.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $64,141 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $215,900 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,444 | $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 | 73.7 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 73.7, 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