Baxter County, Arkansas
15 ZIP codes · Avg score 65/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in Baxter County, the 15 tracked ZIP codes show adequate but uneven water quality.
How Baxter County Compares
How Baxter County Compares
Baxter County scores 11 points below the Arkansas state average (76/100) and 3 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Baxter County, Arkansas
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 16.8 (asthma 10.3%, diabetes 15.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $695, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.312% avg pipe failure probability, 21% of ZIPs at high risk
53.7% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Baxter County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 18 total (18 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $695
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
22,852 housing units in Baxter County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Baxter County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Baxter County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Baxter County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Baxter County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North East Public Water Authority | 4,690 | 5 |
| 2 | LAURELWOOD HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION | 90 | 5 |
| 3 | Big Flat Waterworks | 523 | 1 |
| 4 | Cotter Waterworks | 1,233 | 0 |
| 5 | Mountain Home Waterworks | 19,618 | 0 |
18 total water systems serve Baxter County.
All ZIP Codes in Baxter County
15 ZIP codes tracked in Baxter County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72642 | Lakeview | 83 | B | 0 | $189K |
| 2 | 72654 | Mountain Home | 83 | B | 0 | — |
| 3 | 72653 | Mountain Home | 73 | B | 0 | $167K |
| 4 | 72626 | Cotter | 72 | B | 0 | $171K |
| 5 | 72635 | Gassville | 72 | B | 0 | $136K |
| 6 | 72659 | Norfork | 72 | B | 0 | — |
| 7 | 72617 | Big Flat | 70 | B | 1 | — |
| 8 | 72658 | Norfork | 65 | C | 0 | $103K |
| 9 | 72544 | Henderson | 61 | C | 5 (3 health) | $199K |
| 10 | 72537 | Gamaliel | 53 | D | 0 | $119K |
| 11 | 72538 | Gepp | 53 | D | 0 | $270K |
| 12 | 72623 | Clarkridge | 53 | D | 0 | $165K |
| 13 | 72639 | Harriet | 53 | D | 0 | $127K |
| 14 | 72651 | Midway | 53 | D | 0 | $185K |
| 15 | 72663 | Onia | 53 | D | 0 | $177K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Baxter County
Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 53.7% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best HEPA Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke — Wildfire is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Baxter County, Arkansas
Overview
Baxter County in Arkansas covers 15 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (65/100).
2 of 15 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Arkansas water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.