ZIP code
21704
in Frederick, MarylandPopulation 20,006
68.45/ 100
Ranked #898 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 2.9%)
Ranked #39 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 8.6%)
Ranked #81 of 308 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ZIPs (top 26%)
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.
Median household income
$161,063
in the top 2.9% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST85thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›Nitrate in drinking water
5.6%
in the top 4.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST86thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Mobility disability
7.6%
in the bottom 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Hearing disability
4.4%
in the bottom 3.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST13thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
4.7%
in the bottom 1.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS2ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have difficulty doing errands alone, such as visiting a doctor’s office, because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Full methodology ›Coronary heart disease
4.1%
in the bottom 3.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
9.4%
in the bottom 3.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST8thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
1.3%
in the bottom 2.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST3rdUS3rdDefinition & 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 ›Stroke
2.2%
in the bottom 3.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST5thUS3rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have had a stroke.
Full methodology ›Fair or poor health
12.1%
in the bottom 3.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS4thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›The read
Judged by its overall standing, ZIP 21704, one of several in Frederick, Maryland sits in the top 2.9% healthiest ZIPs nationally (898th) and the top 8.6% of Maryland (39th).
A few readings each way define this mixed profile: household income sits in the top 2.9% nationally, modeled mobility disability stands in the bottom 2.6% nationally, and modeled hearing disability resides in the bottom 3.2% nationally. Modeled independent living disability sits in the bottom 1.6% nationally, coronary heart disease stands in the bottom 3.7% nationally, and cognitive disability resides in the bottom 3.0% nationally. Modeled energy burden sits in the bottom 2.6% nationally, and stroke stands in the bottom 3.5% nationally. Modeled fair or poor health resides in the bottom 3.6% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled nitrate sits in the top 4.0% nationally.
Placed beside its immediate neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Put plainly, nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Energy burden is the share of household income that goes to home energy bills. A healthier nearby ZIP overall is ZIP 20871, about 0.8 miles away.
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 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 96%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 72%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 91%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 90%
8%
Disability
healthier than 98%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 57%
14%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 51%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 93%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 89%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 82%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 78%
8%
Disability
healthier than 95%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 40%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 35%
13%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 75%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 65%
8%
Disability
healthier than 87%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 69%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 49%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 43%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 42%
5%
Nothing measured is holding this score back.
“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
20842
Marylandshares a border
Score 66.54
Closest healthier
20871
Marylandabout 0.8 mi away
Score 73.49
Similar health profile
61528
Illinois100% similar profile
Score 64.20
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 | 21.6% | 19.7–23.4 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 30.3% | 27.8–32.6 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 7.0% | 6.4–7.6 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.0% | 8.0–9.9 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 3.8% | 3.3–4.3 |
| Depression among adults | 19.0% | 16.9–21.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.3% | 8.2–10.3 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.3% | 34.5–39.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 31.9% | 28.3–35.3 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.2% | 2.1–2.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.0% | 5.0–7.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.9% | 5.1–6.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 73.7% | 70.8–76.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.6% | 76.0–80.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.7% | 89.5–91.8 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.0% | 60.7–67.3 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.9% | 68.6–73.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.3% | 72.6–81.7 |
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 | 7.5% | 6.4–8.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 17.4% | 15.3–19.5 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 35.4% | 32.3–38.9 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 12.1% | 10.8–13.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 13.7% | 12.3–15.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 8.9% | 7.9–9.9 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 9.4% | 8.3–10.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 18.8% | 16.8–20.8 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 4.4% | 3.9–4.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.2 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.7–8.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.2% | 2.0–2.4 |
| Vision disability among adults | 2.9% | 2.6–3.2 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.6% | 20.0–25.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.3–9.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.6% | 4.7–6.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.3–9.7 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 31.2% | 28.0–34.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.7–6.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 2.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.1% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 57.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.0% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.2% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 82.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 2.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 23.2% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 31.5% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 10.9% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 38.6 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $161,063 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $612,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $2,536 | $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 | 82.0 yr ± 1.03 | 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 1.03 years of 82.0, 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