CITY REPORT IL

Cornell, IL: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$172K
Median Home Value
$2,900
Est. Remediation (1.7% of home value)

Key Facts for Cornell Residents

  • Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 83% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 13.72 - above typical levels.

Cornell's Water Providers

Across most of Cornell, IL, residential water comes from a single utility. That provider sets rates, manages infrastructure maintenance, and files compliance reports with the EPA on behalf of the households it serves. Federal tracking data shows 1 system on record, but one carries the bulk of the service load.

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cornell, Illinois (population ~1,188), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 19,000 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.

The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.

Water Sources

Cornell water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Areas with No Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score System Population
61319 Il American-streator 19,000

All ZIP Codes in Cornell

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

Cornell Community Health Snapshot

10.5%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.2%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
17.2%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.5% ↑
Diabetes 12.2% ↑
Mental Health 17.2% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Cornell Infrastructure Age

1964
Median Build Year
83%
Built Before 1986
43%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 83% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Cornell's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1964 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here - a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.

1964
Median Year Built
83%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
43%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (43%) 1970–1986 (40%) Post-1986 (17%)

Over half of homes in Cornell were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Cornell

Although the Cornell remediation share is moderate, it remains reachable for most homeowners who plan for the expense in advance.

Median Home Value
$171,700
Est. Remediation
$2,900
Remediation as % of home value 1.7%

Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Cornell. The estimated $1,900–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 7% below the Illinois average.

Cornell: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

83%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.001
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

83% of Cornell housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark - household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Cornell: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

1
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$1,743
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
0%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Cornell contains 1 flood insurance claim. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $1,743. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$2,900</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cornell water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Cornell is 0.001 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Cornell?
Cornell is served by 1 public water system across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 1,188 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Cornell?
Estimated remediation costs in Cornell average $2,900 per household, ranging from $1,900 to $4,100. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
HomeCitiesIllinois → Cornell, IL

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Cornell, IL: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/il/cornell/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-il-cornell,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Cornell, IL: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/il/cornell/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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