CITY REPORT NJ

Elizabeth, NJ Home Safety: Home Safety 67/100

4 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Elizabeth: C.

A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.

The C shown for Elizabeth, NJ is an average of Home Safety Scores across the city's ZIP codes; that composite blends several data sources, so it can move for reasons unrelated to water, and it is not a measurement of what comes out of any tap in the city.

How Elizabeth Compares

Elizabeth67/100
New Jersey avg61/100
National avg73/100

Data: EPA SDWIS

4
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
C · 67
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
County Radon Potential (Moderate)
$413K
Median Home Value
$500
Est. Remediation (0.1% of home value)

Key Facts for Elizabeth Residents

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.002 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 81% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
  • Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.22.

Elizabeth's Water Providers

Here the list of water systems for Elizabeth, NJ has a single entry, while the figure of 1 count every system federal data connect to the area's ZIP codes.

Overview

We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Elizabeth, New Jersey, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 104,767 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 4 ZIP codes.

The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Elizabeth: C (67/100)

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

Elizabeth water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

4 of 4 ZIP records with known zones are 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
07201 C Nj American Water - Liberty 134,000
07202 C Nj American Water - Liberty 134,000
07208 C Nj American Water - Liberty 134,000

All ZIP Codes in Elizabeth

Data Sources

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

Elizabeth Community Health Snapshot

9%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
11.6%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

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

Asthma 9% ↓
Diabetes 11.6% ↑
Mental Health 15% ↑

Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national

Elizabeth Infrastructure Age

1954
Median Build Year
81%
Built Before 1986
66%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 81% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

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

Housing Age Profile

Median construction year in Elizabeth: 1954, set against the 1986 federal lead limits for new plumbing.

1954
Median Year Built
81%
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
66%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (66%) 1970–1986 (15%) Post-1986 (19%)

Over half of homes in Elizabeth were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. 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 Elizabeth

In Elizabeth, estimated remediation comes to 1% or less of the median home value.

Median Home Value
$413,000
Est. Remediation
$500
Remediation as % of home value 0.1%

Estimated remediation costs in Elizabeth can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 15% below the New Jersey average.

Elizabeth: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

81%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.002
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

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.

If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.

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

Elizabeth: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

284
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$25,317
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
0%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Elizabeth contains 284 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $25,317. 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 $500 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.

What You Can Do in Elizabeth

  1. Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 81% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Elizabeth, NJ?
Elizabeth has an average Home Safety Score of 67/100 (Grade C) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. The available EPA record reports no violations for ZIP codes with reported counts. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
Does Elizabeth water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Elizabeth is 0.002 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Elizabeth compare to New Jersey average?
Elizabeth has an average Home Safety Score of 67/100, which is at or above the New Jersey state average of 61/100 for the same model series.
How many water systems serve Elizabeth?
Our records map 1 water system to 4 ZIP codes in Elizabeth. The related population figure in our data is approximately 104,767 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Elizabeth?
Estimated remediation cost per household in Elizabeth: $500; modeled range $300 to $800. Estimated costs may include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, or flood protection where applicable.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Elizabeth, NJ Home Safety: Home Safety 67/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/nj/elizabeth/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-nj-elizabeth,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Elizabeth, NJ Home Safety: Home Safety 67/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/nj/elizabeth/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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