ZIP code
21750
in Hancock, MarylandPopulation 3,417
45.32/ 100
Ranked #22,079 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 31%)
Ranked #423 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (bottom 7.7%)
Ranked #22 of 28 Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV ZIPs (bottom 21%)
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.
Grocery access
0.55 per 1,000 residents
in the top 1.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS99thDefinition & source ›
The number of full supermarkets 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. ZipVitals’s food-access signal is derived from these in-ZIP densities — it is not USDA’s food-desert designation, which measures distance to the nearest supermarket. Where a leg is missing, a ZIP reads “not determinable,” never “not a food desert.”
Full methodology ›Pharmacy access
0.55 per 1,000 residents
in the top 4.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST98thUS96thDefinition & 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 ›Radon
3.1 pCi/L
in the top 9.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Tree cover
70.7%
in the top 8.9% 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
11 mi
in the top 12.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST92ndUS88thDefinition & 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 ›Fatal road crashes
26.3 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 17% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS83rdDefinition & 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 ›Coronary heart disease
8.8%
in the top 24% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS76thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who have been told by a health professional that they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Full methodology ›Median household income
$60,625
in the bottom 30% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST7thUS30thDefinition & source ›
The middle household income in this ZIP — half of households earn more, half earn less — in dollars per year.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Hancock, Maryland (ZIP 21750) sits in the bottom 31% nationally (22,079th) and the bottom 7.7% of Maryland (423rd).
The profile cuts both ways, and the readings bear that out: grocery lands in the top 1.3% nationally, pharmacy resides in the top 4.3% nationally, and modeled tree cover lies in the top 8.9% nationally. Distance to a community health center settles at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility stands in the top 12.5% nationally, and physicians is in the top 13.2% nationally. Crowded housing rests at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs. Modeled binge drinking sits in the bottom 16% nationally. Working the other way, modeled radon registers in the top 9.4% nationally, and fatal road crashes lands in the top 17% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. 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. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. ZIP 17236, just across the boundary, ranks healthier 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 Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 41%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 53%
13%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 22%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 29%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 30%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 30%
8%
Disability
healthier than 34%
7%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 56%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 56%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 10%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 19%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 11%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 20%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 9%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Disability
healthier than 9%
7%
Lifting this score
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 70%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 63%
5%
About typical
Mental Health
healthier than 41%
8%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 11%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 15%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
Disability
healthier than 15%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 22%
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 ›
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
17236
Pennsylvaniashares a border
Score 50.73
Closest healthier
17238
Pennsylvaniashares a border
Score 52.56
Similar health profile
43756
Ohio99% similar profile
Score 41.69
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 | 35.4% | 32.9–37.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.0% | 39.3–44.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.5% | 9.6–11.4 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.1% | 9.9–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.8% | 8.0–9.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 10.6% | 9.4–12.1 |
| Depression among adults | 24.9% | 22.3–27.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 14.8% | 13.3–16.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.7% | 36.0–41.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.8% | 35.9–43.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.4% | 4.0–4.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 15.3% | 13.0–17.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.2% | 6.8–9.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 79.1% | 76.8–81.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 80.1% | 77.7–82.5 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.9% | 86.3–89.4 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 64.6% | 61.2–67.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 58.0% | 55.2–60.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 74.4% | 69.2–79.0 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.2% | 11.4–15.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.7% | 15.3–20.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 31.9% | 28.6–35.4 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.4% | 35.9–42.8 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.3% | 19.8–25.1 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.8% | 15.9–19.7 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 16.3% | 14.6–18.2 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 16.1% | 14.3–18.0 |
| Any disability among adults | 35.4% | 32.3–38.7 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 8.9% | 8.1–9.9 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 9.5% | 8.4–10.7 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 17.0% | 15.1–19.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.7% | 4.1–5.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.5% | 4.9–6.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 23.5% | 20.9–26.4 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.1% | 13.0–17.5 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.9% | 12.0–16.1 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.1% | 10.5–13.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.0% | 7.1–9.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 34.0% | 30.6–37.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.3–9.6 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.8% | 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+) | 11.9% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 2.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.8% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 81.3% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 34.6% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 73.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.0% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 0.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 64.0% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 22.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 50.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $60,625 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $232,500 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $983 | $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 | 75.7 yr ± 1.12 | 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 1.12 years of 75.7, 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