Baxter, MN Home Safety: Home Safety 83/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Baxter: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
In ZipCheckup's scoring, Baxter, MN lands in the A-B grade tier.
How Baxter Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Baxter Residents
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 30% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.71.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Baxter, Minnesota (population ~8,729), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 24,011 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.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Baxter: B (83/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Baxter water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0020 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
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56425 | B | Baxter | 9,341 |
All ZIP Codes in Baxter
- 56425 [B]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Baxter Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Baxter Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Over the decades, Baxter accumulated housing from multiple construction periods. The median build year of 1991 can be read against 1986, when lead solder in plumbing became federally prohibited - a regulatory line, not a safety line, and individual homes on either side of it can have different plumbing.
Most homes in Baxter were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Baxter: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Several limits apply to the lead numbers for Baxter. The figure shown is an average of 90th-percentile results from ZIP codes in the city, and it is below 0.010 mg/L; the federal action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to an average like this one, and being below it does not make water free of lead. About 30% of local homes were built before 1986. A test at the home's own tap shows its level, and a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction is an option if a test finds lead.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Baxter: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Baxter contains 3 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $4,878. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Baxter, MN