ZIP code
21787
in Taneytown, MarylandPopulation 11,645
50.91/ 100
Ranked #14,980 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 47%)
Ranked #380 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (bottom 17%)
Ranked #138 of 157 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ZIPs (bottom 12.2%)
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.
Distance to a Superfund site
1.7 mi
in the bottom 9.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST11thUS10thDefinition & 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 ›Arsenic in groundwater
5.4%
in the top 35% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST94thUS65thDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms 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 ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
0.26%
in the top 43% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS57thDefinition & 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
By the composite measure, Taneytown, Maryland (ZIP 21787) sits in the top 47% healthiest ZIPs nationally (14,980th) and the bottom 17% of Maryland (380th).
What works most in this area's favor shows up clearly across the measures: distance to a nursing home resides at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Crowded housing lies at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs. Pharmacy settles in the top 16% nationally, and modeled energy burden stands in the bottom 22% nationally. Households without a vehicle is in the bottom 23% nationally, and modeled mammography rests in the top 27% nationally. Working the other way, fiber broadband sits at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Distance to a Superfund site registers in the bottom 9.7% nationally, and modeled obesity lands in the top 19% nationally. Distance to a community health center resides in the top 26% nationally.
In plain language, 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. Distance to a community health center is a federally funded (HRSA) community health center serving everyone regardless of ability to pay. ZIP 17325, 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 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 68%
16%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 42%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 56%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 48%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 43%
8%
Disability
healthier than 58%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 40%
21%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 34%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 42%
16%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 23%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 22%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 21%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 16%
8%
Disability
healthier than 25%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 26%
5%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 44%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 9%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 29%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 35%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 18%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 19%
8%
Disability
healthier than 16%
7%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 25%
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
17325
Pennsylvaniashares a border
Score 55.23
Closest healthier
21158
Marylandshares a border
Score 57.38
Similar health profile
43430
Ohio97% similar profile
Score 51.75
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 | 31.2% | 28.5–33.9 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.4% | 35.1–41.7 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.2% | 9.3–11.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.6–12.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.5% | 6.8–8.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.2% | 7.2–9.2 |
| Depression among adults | 24.0% | 21.0–27.1 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.5% | 11.0–14.0 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 39.8% | 36.3–43.2 |
| Obesity among adults | 40.9% | 35.6–46.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.8% | 3.5–4.1 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.9% | 10.4–15.6 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.7% | 6.5–9.0 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 77.4% | 74.7–79.7 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.3% | 73.0–79.1 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.3% | 86.7–89.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 66.0% | 61.6–70.2 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.6% | 57.2–63.8 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.9% | 71.4–83.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.7% | 13.2–18.1 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.1% | 12.1–16.2 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.4% | 24.7–32.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 36.6% | 31.9–41.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.5% | 16.2–20.8 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.9% | 15.1–18.8 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.8% | 12.2–15.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.1% | 12.5–15.7 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.6% | 27.1–34.2 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.8% | 7.0–8.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.1% | 7.2–9.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.7% | 13.0–16.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.7% | 3.4–4.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.6% | 4.2–5.1 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.2% | 18.3–24.3 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.5% | 10.6–14.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 10.6% | 9.0–12.6 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.7% | 9.1–12.4 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.9% | 6.1–7.8 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.1% | 28.0–36.5 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.1–8.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 9.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 5.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 22.2% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 3.8% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.4% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 29.4% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 78.4% | 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 | 3.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 46.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 21.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 40.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $91,682 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $355,000 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,061 | $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 ± 0.89 | 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 0.89 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