ZIP code
21901
in North East, MarylandPopulation 19,514
54.25/ 100
Ranked #10,372 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 32%)
Ranked #313 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (bottom 32%)
Ranked #246 of 361 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ZIPs (bottom 32%)
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
In this ZIP
at the national minimum
Higher is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & 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 ›Nitrate in drinking water
2.5%
in the top 5.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST84thUS95thDefinition & 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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
378 units
in the top 6.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST89thUS94thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Distance to an emergency room
13.4 mi
in the top 14.6% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST91stUS85thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Mammography
72%
in the bottom 25% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST3rdUS25thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
0.27%
in the top 32% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST96thUS68thDefinition & 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
On the composite measure, North East, Maryland (ZIP 21901) stands in the top 32% healthiest ZIPs nationally (10,372nd) and the bottom 32% of Maryland (313th).
A balanced set of signals defines this area, not any single one: subsidized affordable housing rests in the top 6.3% nationally, and household income lands in the top 11.9% nationally. Modeled coronary heart disease settles in the bottom 16% nationally, and hearing disability rests in the bottom 17% nationally. By contrast, distance to a Superfund site lands at the national minimum, modeled nitrate settles in the top 5.4% nationally, and modeled pfas rests in the top 14.4% nationally. Distance to an emergency room lands in the top 14.6% nationally. Distance to a hazardous-chemical facility settles at the national minimum, shared with about 31% of ZIPs. Modeled loud transportation noise rests in the top 16% nationally.
Set beside the wider area around it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. For clarity, distance to a Superfund site is an abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste site the EPA has identified for cleanup. Nitrate is a groundwater compound from fertilizer, manure, and sewage, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. 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. ZIP 21914, just across the boundary, ranks better overall among the ZIPs nearby.
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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-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 68%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 77%
16%
Disability
healthier than 78%
7%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 40%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 51%
11%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 46%
5%
Holding it back
Mental Health
healthier than 40%
8%
Nothing measured is lifting this score.
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 55%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 53%
16%
Disability
healthier than 49%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 57%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 42%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 22%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 12%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 23%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 14%
8%
Lifting this score
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 60%
5%
About typical
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 60%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 53%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 48%
11%
Disability
healthier than 48%
7%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 35%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 24%
13%
Mental Health
healthier than 8%
8%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 15%
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 77.2 ± 1.5 years. A median household income of $113,719 predicts 80.6 years — 3.4 years below.
Ranked #4,590 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
21903
Marylandshares a border
Score 48.89
Closest healthier
21914
Marylandshares a border
Score 57.26
Similar health profile
62613
Illinois96% similar profile
Score 53.01
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 | 26.8% | 24.4–29.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 35.7% | 32.8–38.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.2% | 7.5–9.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.6% | 9.4–11.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 5.5% | 5.0–6.1 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 6.6% | 5.9–7.4 |
| Depression among adults | 23.6% | 20.8–26.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 11.4% | 10.1–12.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 37.4% | 34.4–40.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 39.9% | 35.2–44.6 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.0% | 2.8–3.3 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 9.9% | 8.2–12.0 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 7.4% | 6.3–8.5 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 75.6% | 72.9–78.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 76.4% | 73.2–79.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.8% | 86.2–89.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 62.7% | 58.6–66.6 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.0% | 63.0–68.7 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.0% | 65.8–77.7 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 15.9% | 13.5–18.7 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 14.3% | 12.5–16.3 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 25.0% | 22.1–28.3 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 37.7% | 33.4–42.1 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 17.5% | 15.5–19.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 17.6% | 15.7–19.5 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 12.9% | 11.6–14.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.8% | 12.3–15.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 27.9% | 24.9–31.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.0% | 5.3–6.6 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 7.2% | 6.4–8.0 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 11.8% | 10.4–13.3 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.2% | 2.9–3.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.3 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 21.7% | 18.9–24.9 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.1% | 10.4–13.9 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.7% | 8.3–11.2 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 9.4–12.6 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 6.0–7.7 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.6% | 28.6–36.8 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 6.8% | 5.9–7.8 |
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 | 5.8% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.4% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 36.3% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 6.6% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 4.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 92.3% | 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 | 73.1% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.2% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.9% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 47.9% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 12.7% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 38.3 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $113,719 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $367,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,465 | $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 | 77.2 yr ± 0.77 | 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 0.77 years of 77.2, 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