Butte County, California
29 ZIP codes · Avg score 78/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04
Although county size varies, Butte County's 29 ZIP codes share reliably safe tap water records and above-average compliance scores.
How Butte County Compares
How Butte County Compares
Butte County scores 5 points above the California state average (73/100) and 10 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Butte County, California
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 12.1 (asthma 10.4%, diabetes 10.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $2,154, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.358% avg pipe failure probability, 20% of ZIPs at high risk
63.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↓ Improving trendEPA violation counts by year across Butte County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 42 violations. Past 5 years: 102 total (102 health-based). Health-based violations are declining versus the prior 2-year window.
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: $2,154
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
106,022 housing units in Butte 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 Butte County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Butte 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 Butte 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 Butte County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Del Oro Water Company-paradise Pines | 10,940 | 24 |
| 2 | Del Oro Water Company-ferndale | 1,662 | 24 |
| 3 | Del Oro Water Company - Strawberry Div. | 1,295 | 24 |
| 4 | Del Oro River Island Serv Terr #1 | 1,280 | 24 |
| 5 | Del Oro California Pines District | 944 | 24 |
25 total water systems serve Butte County.
All ZIP Codes in Butte County
29 ZIP codes tracked in Butte County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 95930 | Clipper Mills | 98 | A | 2 | — |
| 2 | 95938 | Durham | 90 | A | 1 | $532K |
| 3 | 95967 | Paradise | 88 | A | 0 | — |
| 4 | 95916 | Berry Creek | 87 | A | 2 | $257K |
| 5 | 95927 | Chico | 87 | A | 4 (4 health) | — |
| 6 | 95929 | Chico | 87 | A | 4 (4 health) | — |
| 7 | 95942 | Forest Ranch | 87 | A | 8 (2 health) | $508K |
| 8 | 95969 | Paradise | 87 | A | 0 | $420K |
| 9 | 95976 | Chico | 87 | A | 4 (4 health) | — |
| 10 | 95917 | Biggs | 86 | A | 3 (1 health) | $381K |
| 11 | 95965 | Oroville | 86 | A | 10 (1 health) | $296K |
| 12 | 95966 | Oroville | 86 | A | 10 (1 health) | $309K |
| 13 | 95926 | Chico | 85 | A | 4 (4 health) | $463K |
| 14 | 95948 | Gridley | 83 | B | 2 (1 health) | $344K |
| 15 | 95928 | Chico | 75 | B | 4 (4 health) | $477K |
| 16 | 95973 | Chico | 75 | B | 4 (4 health) | $485K |
| 17 | 95954 | Magalia | 73 | B | 0 | $268K |
| 18 | 95958 | Nelson | 73 | B | 0 | — |
| 19 | 95974 | Richvale | 73 | B | 0 | — |
| 20 | 90895 | Carson | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 21 | 95651 | Lotus | 66 | C | 0 | $697K |
| 22 | 95914 | Bangor | 66 | C | 0 | $424K |
| 23 | 95923 | Canyon Dam | 66 | C | 0 | $729K |
| 24 | 95940 | Feather Falls | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 25 | 95941 | Forbestown | 66 | C | 0 | $196K |
| 26 | 95978 | Stirling City | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 27 | 95981 | Strawberry Valley | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 28 | 95682 | Shingle Springs | 65 | C | 0 | $682K |
| 29 | 95968 | Palermo | 65 | C | 0 | $122K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Butte County
Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 63.1% 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 Butte County, California
Overview
Butte County in California covers 29 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (78/100).
14 of 29 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 30 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to California 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.