Folly Beach, SC Home Safety: Home Safety 83/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Folly Beach: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
In ZipCheckup's scoring, Folly Beach, SC lands in the A-B grade tier.
How Folly Beach Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Folly Beach Water: The Quick Version
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0035 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 43% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.36.
Water Systems Serving Folly Beach
Service in Folly Beach, SC can differ by address: 2 water systems are tied to the area in federal records, and the 2 largest are listed with their violation records.
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Folly Beach, South Carolina (population ~869), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 332,508 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 Folly Beach: 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
Folly Beach water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0035 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 3.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29439 | B | Folly Beach City of (1010005) | 5,086 |
All ZIP Codes in Folly Beach
- 29439 [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.
CDC Health Data for Folly Beach
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
How Old Is Folly Beach's Housing Stock?
With 43% 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
Over the decades, Folly Beach accumulated housing from multiple construction periods. The median build year of 1998 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.
A significant portion of Folly Beach's housing stock predates 1970, so some homes may have older plumbing materials. Residents in older homes should consider water testing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Folly Beach: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Estimated remediation for Folly Beach is a small fraction of median property value - one percent or less - though the ratio does not describe any single household.
Estimated remediation costs in Folly Beach 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 387% above the South Carolina average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Folly Beach
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.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Folly Beach
Historical NFIP data for Folly Beach contains 1,221 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $20,099. 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. 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Folly Beach, SC