ZIP code
21703
in Frederick, MarylandPopulation 41,960
60.73/ 100
Ranked #4,302 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 13.5%)
Ranked #180 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 39%)
Ranked #181 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (bottom 41%)
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.
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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.76%
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of this area’s domestic-well groundwater at or above the federal nitrate limit of 10 milligrams per liter.
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 ›Energy-cost burden
1.5%
in the bottom 4.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of household income spent on home energy bills — electricity, gas, and heating fuels.
A modeled share of household income spent on home energy. Estimates that hit the model’s 100% ceiling are suppressed rather than published, because at that point the figure reflects the model’s limit rather than a measured burden.
Full methodology ›Distance to a Superfund site
1.2 mi
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST9thUS8thDefinition & 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 ›Coronary heart disease
4.6%
in the bottom 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Mobility disability
9.4%
in the bottom 6.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST16thUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Stroke
2.6%
in the bottom 8.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST15thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Humid extreme heat
79.7 days/year
in the top 34% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS66thDefinition & 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 ›The read
Overall, ZIP 21703, one of several in Frederick, Maryland lands in the top 13.5% healthiest ZIPs nationally (4,302nd) and the top 39% of Maryland (180th).
A number of measures place this area on solid footing: modeled hearing disability sits in the bottom 5.0% nationally, and energy burden is in the bottom 4.3% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease settles in the bottom 6.3% nationally, and mobility disability resides in the bottom 6.9% nationally. Distance to a community health center registers at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Modeled stroke rests in the bottom 8.3% nationally. Distance to a nursing home stands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Transit lies in the top 14.3% nationally. By contrast, modeled nitrate lands in the top 6.8% nationally, and distance to a Superfund site sits in the bottom 7.8% nationally.
Set beside the nearby areas, park land runs far lower than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. A note on the terms: nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. For a healthier nearby comparison, ZIP 21701, 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 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 86%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 75%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 70%
8%
Disability
healthier than 89%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 90%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 56%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 42%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 86%
21%
Disability
healthier than 71%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 93%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 51%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 53%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 42%
8%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 55%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 40%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 14%
13%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 61%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 92%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 60%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Disability
healthier than 55%
7%
Holding it back
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 33%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 16%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 36%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 26%
8%
“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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
21701
Marylandshares a border
Score 63.65
Closest healthier
21704
Marylandshares a border
Score 68.45
Similar health profile
80016
Colorado98% similar profile
Score 66.19
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 | 22.4% | 20.5–24.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 31.9% | 29.4–34.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 6.5% | 5.9–7.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 8.8–10.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.6% | 4.1–5.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.2 |
| Depression among adults | 20.7% | 18.5–22.9 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 10.3% | 9.2–11.4 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 36.2% | 33.6–38.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 36.4% | 32.6–40.0 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.6% | 2.4–2.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 8.0% | 6.6–9.5 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 10.0% | 8.7–11.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 72.5% | 69.8–74.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.1% | 74.3–79.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.0% | 86.5–89.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 65.4% | 62.1–68.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 63.8% | 61.3–66.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 75.5% | 70.5–80.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.5% | 13.5–17.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.8% | 8.6–11.0 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 21.7% | 19.3–24.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 38.0% | 34.7–41.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 16.1% | 14.5–17.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.8–17.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.6% | 9.5–11.6 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 12.4% | 11.1–13.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 23.3% | 21.1–25.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 6.3% | 5.7–6.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.4–10.4 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.7–3.2 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.7–4.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 25.1% | 22.4–27.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 14.3% | 12.5–16.1 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.3–12.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.3% | 11.7–15.0 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.6 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.0% | 30.7–37.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.4–9.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 7.9% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.3% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 43.0% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.0% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 2.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 94.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 66.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.7% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 20.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 37.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 11.0% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 34.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $106,334 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $384,600 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,991 | $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 | 79.2 yr ± 0.83 | 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 0.83 years of 79.2, 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