ZIP code
21849
in Parsonsburg, MarylandPopulation 3,388
52.62/ 100
Ranked #12,591 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 39%)
Ranked #349 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (bottom 24%)
Ranked #11 of 24 Salisbury, MD ZIPs (top 46%)
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.
Child-care access
0.63 per 1,000 residents
in the top 6.5% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST97thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of child day-care services 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 ›Fatal road crashes
35.4 per 100,000 residents per year
in the top 9.3% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS91stDefinition & 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 ›PFAS in drinking water
56.7%
in the top 9.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS91stDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that PFAS “forever chemicals” would be detected in untreated groundwater in this area, the source private wells draw on.
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 ›High cholesterol
43.4%
in the top 9.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST90thUS91stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with high cholesterol, among those who have ever been screened for it.
Full methodology ›Floodplain exposure
1.2%
in the bottom 13.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST6thUS13thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area inside FEMA’s 1%-annual-chance floodplain — the “100-year” flood zone, where flooding has about a 1-in-100 chance in any given year.
Measured from FEMA’s mapped flood panels. Where a panel has not been mapped, no value is published for that ZIP — those ZIPs are absent from this comparison rather than counted as unexposed.
Full methodology ›Industrial-pollution burden
in the top 14.7% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS85thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled screening score for industrial chemical releases, weighting the amounts released by their toxicity and how many people live nearby — a relative comparison score, not a measured exposure.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
79%
in the bottom 15% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST8thUS15thDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›The read
Parsonsburg, Maryland (ZIP 21849), by its composite score, sits in the top 39% healthiest ZIPs nationally (12,591st) and the bottom 24% of Maryland (349th).
Where the data is kindest to this area, a few readings lead the way: childcare registers in the top 6.5% nationally, and floodplain exposure settles in the bottom 13.5% nationally. Crowded housing sits at the national minimum, shared with about 29% of ZIPs. Park land lies in the top 18% nationally. On the other hand, fatal road crashes rests in the top 9.3% nationally, modeled pfas resides in the top 9.5% nationally, and modeled high cholesterol is in the top 9.0% nationally. Modeled industrial-pollution burden lands in the top 14.7% nationally, and home broadband subscription stands in the bottom 15% nationally. Recreation registers at the national minimum, shared with about 35% of ZIPs.
Next to the surrounding area, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For anyone unfamiliar, pfas is the man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and environment instead of breaking down; here a modeled estimate of the chance a private well contains them. Industrial-pollution burden is the EPA's modeled screening score weighting industrial chemical releases by their toxicity and how many people live nearby. Floodplain exposure is land with about a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, nicknamed the "100-year floodplain". For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 19966, 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 Salisbury, MD metro area.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Preventive Care
healthier than 79%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 67%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 71%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 72%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 50%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 57%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 55%
8%
Disability
healthier than 54%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 32%
21%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 86%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 74%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 46%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 42%
11%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 18%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 27%
16%
Mental Health
healthier than 22%
8%
Disability
healthier than 21%
7%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 61%
16%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 65%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 96%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 87%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 48%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 52%
13%
Disability
healthier than 52%
7%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 13%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 35%
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
19940
Delawareshares a border
Score 51.35
Closest healthier
19966
Delawareshares a border
Score 53.59
Similar health profile
46961
Indiana97% similar profile
Score 54.12
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 | 32.8% | 30.3–35.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.9% | 36.1–41.9 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 10.1% | 9.2–11.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.6–12.0 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.8% | 7.0–8.7 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.8% | 7.8–10.0 |
| Depression among adults | 22.5% | 20.0–25.3 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.0% | 11.6–14.5 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 43.4% | 40.4–46.4 |
| Obesity among adults | 38.7% | 34.4–43.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 13.6% | 11.3–16.1 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.7% | 7.3–10.3 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.9% | 78.7–83.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 81.4% | 78.9–83.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.4% | 88.0–90.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.3% | 65.6–72.8 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 60.0% | 57.0–63.0 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 77.9% | 72.3–82.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.5% | 12.4–16.9 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.9% | 12.8–17.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.2% | 24.8–31.6 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 32.6% | 28.9–36.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.9% | 18.5–23.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 16.7% | 14.9–18.6 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.4% | 12.8–16.0 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 14.1% | 12.5–15.8 |
| Any disability among adults | 29.7% | 26.6–33.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.6% | 6.9–8.5 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.4–9.4 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.2% | 13.5–17.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.9% | 4.4–5.5 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.6% | 19.6–25.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.2% | 11.2–15.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 11.4% | 9.7–13.3 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.4% | 8.9–12.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 7.1% | 6.2–8.1 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.7% | 28.9–36.3 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 7.0% | 6.0–8.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 3.3% | 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+) | 27.4% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 1.2% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.3% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 79.0% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 25.5% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 76.1% | 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 | 2.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 60.1% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 19.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 41.7 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $71,211 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $249,200 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,200 | $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 | 76.2 yr ± 0.90 | 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 0.90 years of 76.2, 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