ZIP code
21771
in Mount Airy, MarylandPopulation 33,031
63.16/ 100
Ranked #2,886 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 9.1%)
Ranked #120 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (top 26%)
Ranked #59 of 157 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ZIPs (top 38%)
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
$157,302
in the top 3.2% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST82ndUS97thDefinition & 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
26.8%
in the top 1.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS98thDefinition & 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 ›Lack of transportation
4.7%
in the bottom 5.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST14thUS5thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who lacked reliable transportation in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Food insecurity
7.7%
in the bottom 6.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST12thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.
Full methodology ›Independent-living disability
5.4%
in the bottom 4.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST16thUS5thDefinition & 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 ›Fair or poor health
13.1%
in the bottom 6.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST11thUS6thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who rate their own general health as fair or poor.
Full methodology ›Energy-cost burden
1.7%
in the bottom 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST17thUS7thDefinition & 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 ›Mobility disability
9.7%
in the bottom 8.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST18thUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Full methodology ›Cognitive disability
10.6%
in the bottom 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS8thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Full methodology ›Tooth loss
6.7%
in the bottom 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST23rdUS7thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 65 and older who have lost all of their natural teeth.
Full methodology ›The read
Mount Airy, Maryland (ZIP 21771), by its overall standing, sits in the top 9.1% healthiest ZIPs nationally (2,886th) and the top 26% of Maryland (120th).
The measures fall on both sides of the ledger for this area: household income sits in the top 3.2% nationally, modeled transportation settles in the bottom 5.1% nationally, and modeled food insecurity registers in the bottom 6.2% nationally. Modeled independent living disability stands in the bottom 4.8% nationally, fair or poor health lands in the bottom 6.3% nationally, and energy burden is in the bottom 6.8% nationally. Modeled mobility disability resides in the bottom 8.0% nationally, and cognitive disability rests in the bottom 7.8% nationally. Homeownership lies in the top 10.1% nationally. Set against that, modeled nitrate sits in the top 1.8% nationally.
Held up against its neighbors, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. Defined in plain terms, 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. The nearest ZIP ranking healthier overall is ZIP 20872, 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. 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 77%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 94%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 84%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 86%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 77%
8%
Disability
healthier than 93%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 70%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 31%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 37%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 72%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 83%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 71%
11%
Disability
healthier than 82%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 85%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 53%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 14%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 30%
5%
Lifting this score
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 62%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 72%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 62%
11%
Disability
healthier than 72%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 31%
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.
Below what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 79.7 ± 1.4 years. A median household income of $157,302 predicts 81.9 years — 2.2 years below.
Ranked #2,975 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
20872
Marylandshares a border
Score 65.77
Closest healthier
20882
Marylandshares a border
Score 69.98
Similar health profile
61776
Illinois99% similar profile
Score 61.18
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 | 27.0% | 25.2–28.7 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 33.6% | 31.4–35.5 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.6% | 9.0–10.2 |
| Current asthma among adults | 9.8% | 9.1–10.5 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–5.9 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 5.2% | 4.8–5.7 |
| Depression among adults | 21.9% | 20.0–23.7 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 9.8% | 8.9–10.6 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.4% | 37.1–41.5 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.7% | 31.4–37.7 |
| Stroke among adults | 2.7% | 2.5–2.9 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 6.7% | 5.9–7.8 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 5.6% | 4.9–6.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.2% | 74.2–77.9 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.0% | 75.9–79.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 90.7% | 89.8–91.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.5% | 66.9–72.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 70.5% | 68.5–72.6 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 78.8% | 75.2–82.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 16.6% | 14.9–18.2 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 9.2% | 8.2–10.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 18.9% | 17.0–20.9 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 33.8% | 31.1–36.7 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 13.1% | 11.9–14.3 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 14.5% | 13.3–15.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 10.6% | 9.7–11.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 10.6% | 9.6–11.5 |
| Any disability among adults | 22.5% | 20.6–24.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 5.8% | 5.3–6.3 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 5.4% | 5.0–5.9 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.8–10.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 2.5% | 2.3–2.7 |
| Vision disability among adults | 3.1% | 2.8–3.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.7% | 17.9–21.8 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.7% | 6.8–8.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 5.4% | 4.7–6.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 7.5% | 6.7–8.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 4.7% | 4.3–5.2 |
| Loneliness among adults | 30.1% | 27.5–32.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 4.8% | 4.3–5.3 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 3.1% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 4.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.1% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 48.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.3% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.9% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 95.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 19.1% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 94.0% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 0.9% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 8.4% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 53.8% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 15.6% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 40.9 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $157,302 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $556,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $2,252 | $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 | 79.7 yr ± 0.71 | 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 0.71 years of 79.7, 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