ZIP code
21903
in Perryville, MarylandPopulation 5,692
48.89/ 100
Ranked #17,801 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 44%)
Ranked #403 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (bottom 12.1%)
Ranked #297 of 361 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ZIPs (bottom 18%)
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.
Subsidized affordable housing
365 units
in the top 6.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST87thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Home broadband subscription
97.9%
in the top 7.7% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST83rdUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
Full methodology ›Transportation noise
10.6%
in the top 7.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST95thUS92ndDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 55 decibels — a noticeable background presence.
Full methodology ›Grocery access
0.17 per 1,000 residents
in the top 9.4% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST91stUS91stDefinition & 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 ›Obesity
43.6%
in the top 7.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST97thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.6%
in the top 10.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS89thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Distance to an emergency room
13.6 mi
in the top 13.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS86thDefinition & source ›
The distance in miles from this ZIP’s edge to the nearest Medicare-certified hospital with an emergency room.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
61.7%
in the bottom 21% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST5thUS21stDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
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
Perryville, Maryland (ZIP 21903), by its composite score, sits in the bottom 44% nationally (17,801st) and the bottom 12.1% of Maryland (403rd).
The measures land in both directions, and neither dominates: subsidized affordable housing sits in the top 6.6% nationally, and home broadband subscription lies in the top 7.7% nationally. Grocery rests in the top 9.4% nationally, and civic resides in the top 12.2% nationally. Outpatient is in the top 14.8% nationally. Pulling the other way, modeled transportation noise lands in the top 7.8% nationally, obesity stands in the top 7.2% nationally, and loud transportation noise registers in the top 10.8% nationally. Distance to an emergency room settles in the top 13.9% nationally, and modeled pfas sits in the top 14.4% nationally.
Next to the surrounding area, park land runs far lower 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. Subsidized affordable housing is the main federal tax-credit program (HUD) funding affordable rental housing, counted as local units it supports. Transportation noise is the modeled share of an area exposed to average road, rail, and air noise at or above 55 decibels. For a healthier comparison close by, see ZIP 21078, 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 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
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 92%
16%
About typical
Preventive Care
healthier than 44%
13%
Disability
healthier than 46%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 47%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 58%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 30%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 38%
14%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 31%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 34%
8%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 78%
16%
About typical
Healthcare Access
healthier than 57%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 16%
21%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 20%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 15%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 10%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
Disability
healthier than 15%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 35%
5%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 79%
16%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 51%
14%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 4%
21%
Preventive Care
healthier than 28%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 19%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 2%
8%
Disability
healthier than 9%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 38%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 40%
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 76.1 ± 2.4 years. A median household income of $78,962 predicts 79.1 years — 3.0 years below.
Ranked #4,143 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
21078
Marylandshares a border
Score 59.84
Closest healthier
21901
Marylandshares a border
Score 54.25
Similar health profile
40510
Kentucky92% similar profile
Score 47.69
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 | 31.7% | 29.0–34.5 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 42.0% | 38.8–45.3 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 9.1% | 8.3–10.0 |
| Current asthma among adults | 11.0% | 9.8–12.3 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 7.4% | 6.6–8.3 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 9.0% | 7.7–10.3 |
| Depression among adults | 23.8% | 21.0–26.8 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 15.1% | 13.3–16.9 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.7% | 37.5–44.0 |
| Obesity among adults | 43.6% | 38.8–48.4 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.6–4.5 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 11.6% | 9.5–13.9 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.1% | 6.6–9.9 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 78.8% | 76.2–81.3 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 78.0% | 75.0–80.8 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 88.1% | 86.4–89.7 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.7% | 57.7–65.7 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.3% | 59.1–65.3 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 72.5% | 66.1–78.2 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.1% | 11.9–16.5 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 17.4% | 14.7–20.1 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 30.0% | 26.1–34.0 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.1% | 34.7–43.5 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 22.0% | 19.3–25.0 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.1% | 16.1–20.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 15.5% | 13.6–17.4 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.1% | 13.2–17.2 |
| Any disability among adults | 32.7% | 29.0–36.4 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 7.5% | 6.6–8.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.9% | 7.8–10.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.9% | 13.8–18.1 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.5% | 3.9–5.1 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.3% | 4.8–6.0 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.2% | 19.2–25.6 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.5% | 13.2–18.4 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 14.0% | 11.8–16.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 12.9% | 11.1–15.1 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.3% | 7.3–9.5 |
| Loneliness among adults | 32.1% | 28.2–36.4 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.5–10.2 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 10.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 1.5% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 6.8% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 20.1% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.9% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 7.4% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 97.9% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 22.7% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.9% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 1.3% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 1.6% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 49.2% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 18.5% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 43.1 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $78,962 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $299,300 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $916 | $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 | 76.1 yr ± 1.20 | 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 1.20 years of 76.1, 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