ZIP code
21234
in Parkville, MarylandPopulation 66,334
58.06/ 100
Ranked #6,339 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 20%)
Ranked #235 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (bottom 49%)
Ranked #105 of 157 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ZIPs (bottom 33%)
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.
PFAS in drinking water
100%
at the national maximum
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The share of residents served by public water systems where PFAS — man-made “forever chemicals” that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down — were detected in EPA testing.
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 ›Walkability
120 intersections/sq mi
in the top 7.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of street intersections per square mile — a standard street-connectivity measure; denser networks correlate with more walkable neighborhoods.
Full methodology ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 9.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS90thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
0.9 pCi/L
in the bottom 13.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST2ndUS13thDefinition & 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 ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 15% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST98thUS85thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›The read
Overall, Parkville, Maryland (ZIP 21234) lands in the top 20% healthiest ZIPs nationally (6,339th) and the bottom 49% of Maryland (235th).
A number of measures place this area on solid footing: walkability rests in the top 7.3% nationally, and fatal road crashes stands in the bottom 10.6% nationally. Distance to a nursing home lies at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Modeled radon lands in the bottom 13.0% nationally, modeled hearing disability sits in the bottom 17% nationally, and elder services is in the top 17% nationally. By contrast, PFAS in drinking water settles at the national maximum, modeled disaster risk resides in the top 9.6% nationally, and modeled expected annual loss registers in the top 15% nationally. Distance to a Superfund site rests in the bottom 17% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: PFAS in drinking water is the family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 21057, just across the boundary, ranks better overall.
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 66%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 73%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 78%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 74%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 61%
8%
Disability
healthier than 76%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 68%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 66%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 65%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 83%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 53%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 45%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Disability
healthier than 46%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 89%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 78%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 68%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 41%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 34%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 23%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 37%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 31%
8%
Disability
healthier than 29%
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
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 78.1 ± 0.7 years. A median household income of $83,517 predicts 79.4 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.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
21057
Marylandshares a border
Score 66.20
Closest healthier
21236
Marylandshares a border
Score 61.14
Similar health profile
06776
Connecticut99% similar profile
Score 63.23
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 | 27.4% | 25.7–29.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 36.0% | 33.9–38.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.3% | 7.7–8.9 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.2% | 10.3–12.2 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.1% | 5.6–6.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.1 |
| Depression among adults | 21.6% | 19.7–23.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.3% | 11.2–13.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.3% | 35.2–39.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 33.6% | 30.7–36.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.4% | 3.2–3.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.4% | 8.0–11.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.8% | 7.0–8.7 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.7% | 74.8–78.6 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.0% | 78.2–81.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.3% | 88.2–90.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.5% | 67.7–73.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.2% | 59.9–64.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.3% | 75.3–82.9 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.7% | 12.2–15.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 11.5% | 10.3–12.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.6% | 23.3–27.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.9% | 34.1–39.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.9% | 16.4–19.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.6% | 15.2–17.9 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 11.9% | 10.9–13.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.7–13.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 26.9% | 24.8–29.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.5–6.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.4% | 6.7–8.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 12.7% | 11.5–13.9 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.5% | 3.2–3.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–4.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.7% | 23.2–28.2 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.4% | 13.9–17.0 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.1% | 10.8–13.4 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.9% | 12.5–15.3 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.1% | 7.3–8.9 |
| Loneliness among adults | 35.5% | 32.5–38.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.6–9.4 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 36.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 6.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 88.1% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 31.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 64.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 11.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 42.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 19.1% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 40.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $83,517 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $288,100 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,587 | $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 | 78.1 yr ± 0.36 | 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 0.36 years of 78.1, 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