ZIP code
21531
in Friendsville, MarylandPopulation 2,487
50.71/ 100
Ranked #15,260 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 48%)
Ranked #383 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (bottom 16%)
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.
Pharmacy access
0.92 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of pharmacies located 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 ›Civic-institution access
0.92 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS95thDefinition & source ›
The number of civic and social organizations 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 ›Fatal road crashes
44.2 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 5.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Tree cover
71%
in the top 8.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility
12.9 mi
in the top 10.0% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS90thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest facility that handles enough hazardous chemicals to require an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
20.6 days/year
in the bottom 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS17thDefinition & source ›
The average number of days per year when modeled heat stress — temperature, humidity, sun, and wind combined — reaches levels hard on the body outdoors.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›Radon
2.3 pCi/L
in the top 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS75thDefinition & 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 ›Distance to a Superfund site
27.7 mi
in the top 31% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS69thDefinition & 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 ›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
On balance, and by the composite measure, Friendsville, Maryland (ZIP 21531) ranks in the top 48% healthiest ZIPs nationally (15,260th) and the bottom 16% of Maryland (383rd).
Strengths and concerns sit side by side across the measures here: pharmacy lies in the top 1.3% nationally, and civic resides in the top 4.8% nationally. Modeled tree cover lands in the top 8.7% nationally. Modeled extreme heat registers at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility sits in the top 10.0% nationally, fiber broadband rests in the top 15.0% nationally, and modeled humid heat is in the bottom 17% nationally. On the other hand, fatal road crashes stands in the top 5.5% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol settles in the top 11.1% nationally. Recreation lies at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs.
In plainer terms, distance to a hazardous-chemical facility is a plant handling large amounts of hazardous chemicals that must file an EPA risk-management plan for accidental releases. Extreme heat is a modeled count of days a year reaching a dangerously high temperature, a leading weather hazard. Humid heat is a modeled heat-stress measure combining temperature, humidity, sun, and wind to gauge heat on the body outdoors. For a healthier nearby ZIP overall, look to ZIP 21520, 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.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 62%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 75%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 88%
5%
About typical
Risk Behavior
healthier than 50%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 54%
8%
Disability
healthier than 45%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 24%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 28%
5%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 69%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 98%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 35%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 35%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 23%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Disability
healthier than 14%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 17%
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.
Clean environment, heavy chronic burden
Where the environment and chronic illness point in opposite directions
Environmental-hazard standing 75.0; chronic-disease standing 23.9 — 51 points apart, cleaner on the environment than it is on chronic illness.
Ranked #2,404 of the 18,187 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by the gap from cleanest environment to heaviest chronic burden, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
15411
Pennsylvaniashares a border
Score 47.77
Closest healthier
21520
Marylandshares a border
Score 51.89
Similar health profile
21543
Maryland97% similar profile
Score 50.90
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 | 34.1% | 31.1–37.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.0% | 38.6–45.4 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.4% | 9.4–11.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.4% | 10.2–12.7 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.3% | 7.4–9.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.6% | 8.2–11.1 |
| Depression among adults | 21.7% | 18.9–24.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.2% | 12.4–16.1 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 42.9% | 39.3–46.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 37.7% | 32.4–43.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.2% | 3.7–4.7 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.9% | 11.4–16.4 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.5% | 6.8–10.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.4% | 75.8–80.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 79.1% | 76.1–81.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.9% | 86.2–89.5 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 70.7% | 66.4–74.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.4% | 60.0–66.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.3% | 70.8–83.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.5% | 12.1–17.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 15.8% | 13.1–18.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.1% | 23.8–32.7 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.5% | 31.5–41.6 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.1% | 19.0–25.5 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.4% | 15.4–19.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.6% | 13.6–17.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.7% | 12.7–17.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.5% | 28.5–36.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.7% | 7.8–9.8 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.8% | 7.6–10.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 16.0% | 13.8–18.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.2% | 3.7–4.9 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.1% | 4.4–5.9 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.1% | 18.9–25.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.0% | 11.3–17.2 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 12.7% | 10.3–15.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 11.3% | 9.3–13.5 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.3% | 6.2–8.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.8% | 27.3–36.7 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.4% | 6.2–8.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 18.7% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 6.2% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 12.0% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 16.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.2% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 83.2% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 20.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 84.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 60.7% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 22.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 48.8 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $63,750 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $180,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $575 | $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 | 78.2 yr ± 1.60 | 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 1.60 years of 78.2, 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