Is Little Rock, AR Safe to Buy? Home Safety Score 92/100
Score 92/100 · Risk: low · Home Safety Grade A · Updated
Little Rock has low overall risk for homebuyers. Most safety indicators are within acceptable ranges.
Score data: EPA SDWIS, EPA PFAS monitoring, EPA Radon Zones, EPA Air Quality Index Last verified:
What is a home safety score?
Home Safety Score model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, UCMR5 PFAS, EPA radon zone, and annual AQI with complete coverage. Little Rock scores 92/100 with a "low" risk level.
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Safety scores vary across Little Rock's 25 ZIP codes.
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72210 | 91 | A | View report → |
| 72201 | 92 | A | View report → |
| 72202 | 92 | A | View report → |
| 72204 | 92 | A | View report → |
| 72205 | 92 | A | View report → |
| 72206 | 92 | A | View report → |
| 72207 | 92 | A | View report → |
| 72209 | 92 | A | View report → |
| 72211 | 92 | A | View report → |
| 72212 | 92 | A | View report → |
| 72223 | 92 | A | View report → |
| 72227 | 92 | A | View report → |
Home Safety Overview
Little Rock, Arkansas has low overall risk under the current model. The average Home Safety Score is 92/100 across 12 ZIP codes. The model covers water compliance, PFAS screening, radon, and annual air quality; property-level conditions still require inspection.
Safety Score Card
A composite view of Little Rock's key risk indicators:
| Risk Factor | Value | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Water Compliance | 5 EPA violations across 12 direct ZIP records | Recorded violations |
| Lead Risk | 0.0011 mg/L | Low risk |
| Flood Risk | 63% of claim-record ZIPs have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones | Historical claims evidence |
| Radon | Zone 3 (Low) | Low risk |
| Air Quality | AQI 61 (Moderate) | Moderate risk |
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Home safety varies across Little Rock's ZIP codes. Lower scores indicate more risk factors:
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 72210 | 91 | A |
| 72201 | 92 | A |
| 72202 | 92 | A |
| 72204 | 92 | A |
| 72205 | 92 | A |
| 72206 | 92 | A |
| 72207 | 92 | A |
| 72209 | 92 | A |
| 72211 | 92 | A |
| 72212 | 92 | A |
| 72223 | 92 | A |
| 72227 | 92 | A |
Little Rock vs. Nearby Arkansas Cities
How Little Rock's overall risk compares to similar cities in Arkansas:
| City | Home Safety Grade | Lead ZIPs Over Limit | Flood Claims | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | A | 0 | 997 | 218,724 |
| Fayetteville | A | 0 | 258 | 114,403 |
| Springdale | A | 0 | 111 | 104,870 |
| Fort Smith | N/A | 0 | 352 | 94,001 |
Homebuyer Safety Checklist for Little Rock
Before purchasing a home in Little Rock, Arkansas, complete these checks:
Water Quality
- Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from the water utility
- Test tap water for lead, bacteria, and nitrates ($20-$50 for DIY kit)
Radon
- Conduct a radon test ($15-$30 for short-term kit, $150-$300 for professional)
Flood Risk
- Check the property's FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov
- Ask about flood history and past insurance claims
- Review the claims-only zone evidence: 63% of ZIPs with NFIP claim records have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones. This does not replace an address-level FEMA map check.
Lead Paint & Pipes
- For homes built before 1978: request lead paint disclosure
- For homes built before 1986: inspect plumbing for lead solder and pipes
- 62% of Little Rock homes built before 1986 - pipe inspection recommended
General
- Check for carbon monoxide detectors on every level
- Inspect for visible mold, water stains, or musty odors
- Verify the home's connection to a regulated public water system
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA SDWIS
- Lead: EPA Lead and Copper Rule
- Flood: FEMA NFIP
- Radon: EPA Radon Zones
- Air quality: EPA AirNow
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25077
- Remediation costs: National cost model (EPA, Census, FEMA data)
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
Water Quality Map: Little Rock, AR
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
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