ZIP code
21921
in Elkton, MarylandPopulation 45,527
49.58/ 100
Ranked #16,820 of 32,066 US ZIPs (bottom 48%)
Ranked #397 of 458 Maryland ZIPs (bottom 13.4%)
Ranked #288 of 361 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ZIPs (bottom 20%)
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 ›Subsidized affordable housing
693 units
in the top 2.8% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST94thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The number of affordable rental units in this ZIP supported by the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Full methodology ›Nitrate in drinking water
0.68%
in the top 7.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST81stUS93rdDefinition & 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 ›Natural-disaster risk
in the top 13.5% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS87thDefinition & source ›
This area’s national rank on its single highest non-flood natural hazard — such as wildfire, tornado, or earthquake — in FEMA’s modeled National Risk Index; flooding is shown separately.
Full methodology ›Expected annual disaster loss
$0
in the top 14.9% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS85thDefinition & source ›
FEMA’s modeled estimate, in dollars per year, of the average harm to people expected from natural hazards — an annualized average, not a forecast for any single year.
Full methodology ›Obesity
42%
in the top 13.0% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST92ndUS87thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults with obesity, defined as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.
Full methodology ›Fine-particle (PM2.5) exceedance
0.27%
in the top 22% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS78thDefinition & 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 ›Mammography
71.9%
in the bottom 24% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST2ndUS24thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of women aged 50–74 who had a mammogram within the past two years.
Full methodology ›Colon-cancer screening
61.9%
in the bottom 22% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST6thUS22ndDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults aged 45–75 who are up to date on colorectal-cancer screening.
Full methodology ›The read
By the composite measure, Elkton, Maryland (ZIP 21921) sits in the bottom 48% nationally (16,820th) and the bottom 13.4% of Maryland (397th).
The readings split fairly evenly between strengths and concerns: subsidized affordable housing registers in the top 2.8% nationally, and park land lands in the top 10.6% nationally. Distance to a community health center resides at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Mental-health providers lies in the top 12.1% nationally, and physicians settles in the top 12.2% nationally. Distance to a nursing home stands at the national minimum, shared with about 27% of ZIPs. Working the other way, distance to a Superfund site is at the national minimum, and modeled nitrate rests in the top 7.0% nationally. Modeled disaster risk sits in the top 13.5% nationally, and expected annual loss registers in the top 14.9% nationally.
Compared with the ZIPs that surround it, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. In plain language, 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. Disaster risk is the area's national rank on its highest non-flood peril in FEMA's modeled Risk Index, like wildfire or quake. ZIP 19350, 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 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
Healthcare Access
healthier than 78%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 50%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 59%
16%
Disability
healthier than 58%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 25%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 35%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 37%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 35%
8%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 82%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 51%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 32%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 32%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 9%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 9%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 14%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 11%
8%
Disability
healthier than 24%
7%
Lifting this score
Healthcare Access
healthier than 79%
5%
About typical
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 54%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 14%
21%
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 27%
16%
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 27%
14%
Preventive Care
healthier than 17%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 26%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 4%
8%
Disability
healthier than 20%
7%
“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 76.9 ± 1.1 years. A median household income of $85,775 predicts 79.5 years — 2.6 years below.
Ranked #3,559 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
19350
Pennsylvaniashares a border
Score 69.07
Closest healthier
19702
Delawareshares a border
Score 57.96
Similar health profile
61115
Illinois95% similar profile
Score 48.48
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 | 28.5% | 26.1–31.1 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 38.6% | 35.7–41.8 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.1 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.8% | 9.7–12.1 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 6.4% | 5.8–7.0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 7.8% | 7.1–8.6 |
| Depression among adults | 23.6% | 20.8–26.6 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 13.2% | 11.8–14.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 38.4% | 35.4–41.6 |
| Obesity among adults | 42.0% | 37.4–46.9 |
| Stroke among adults | 3.5% | 3.3–3.8 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 12.8% | 10.6–15.2 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.6% | 7.4–9.8 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 76.8% | 74.2–79.2 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 77.0% | 74.0–79.9 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 87.2% | 85.6–88.6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 61.9% | 57.8–65.9 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 62.3% | 59.2–65.2 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 71.9% | 65.7–77.6 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 14.8% | 12.5–17.3 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 16.0% | 14.1–17.9 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 28.5% | 25.4–31.8 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 39.0% | 34.7–43.4 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 20.5% | 18.4–22.6 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 18.1% | 16.3–20.1 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 14.2% | 12.8–15.7 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 15.0% | 13.5–16.6 |
| Any disability among adults | 30.9% | 27.8–34.0 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 6.7% | 6.0–7.4 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.4% | 7.6–9.3 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 14.0% | 12.5–15.6 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 4.0% | 3.6–4.3 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.6–5.4 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 22.4% | 19.5–25.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 15.6% | 13.7–17.7 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 13.9% | 12.2–15.7 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 13.1% | 11.5–14.9 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 8.4% | 7.4–9.3 |
| Loneliness among adults | 33.0% | 29.0–37.2 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 8.7% | 7.6–9.8 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | MD median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 13.6% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 6.7% (1.1–19.3%) n=459 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 5.3% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 4.8% (0.0–13.1%) n=459 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 7.9% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 6.3% (0.5–16.6%) n=463 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 28.8% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 37.3% (15.0–64.4%) n=463 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.5% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 3.9% (0.0–8.6%) n=457 |
| Households without a vehicle | 5.6% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.2% (0.0–12.4%) n=457 |
| Broadband subscription | 90.8% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 93.3% (81.2–100.0%) n=457 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 32.3% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 27.0% (12.0–41.8%) n=457 |
| Homeownership rate | 69.8% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 82.1% (49.9–98.5%) n=457 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.4% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 0.7% (0.0–4.0%) n=457 |
| Foreign-born population | 5.5% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 6.2% (0.0–26.4%) n=464 |
| Single-parent households | 50.4% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 50.9% (34.0–73.3%) n=450 |
| Population 65+ | 16.8% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 18.0% (10.9–33.1%) n=464 |
| Median age | 39.4 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 41.8 yr (34.2–57.2) n=460 |
| Median household income | $85,775 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $106,181 ($62,879–$172,423) n=419 |
| Median home value | $330,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $423,400 ($215,180–$683,660) n=427 |
| Median gross rent | $1,421 | $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 | 76.9 yr ± 0.55 | 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 0.55 years of 76.9, 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