COUNTY REPORT CA

Modoc County, California

9 ZIP codes · Avg score 78/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03

Within Modoc County, all 9 tracked ZIP codes show above-average drinking water safety — violations are infrequent and typically minor.

How Modoc County Compares

Modoc County78/100
California avg73/100
National avg68/100

How Modoc County Compares

B
County Grade
78/100
Avg Safety Score
9
ZIP Codes
6
Water Systems

Modoc 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: 2026-06-03

B
County Grade
78
Avg Safety Score
9
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 96015 (99/100)
Lowest ZIP: 96116 (66/100)
$206K
Median Home Value
$300
Avg Remediation (15% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Modoc County, California

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 15.1 (asthma 10.8%, diabetes 14.9%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,129, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.403% avg pipe failure probability, 56% of ZIPs at high risk

75.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10.8% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 14.9% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 31.9% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1972
Median Build Year
75.6%
Pre-1978 Housing
40%
Pipe Failure Probability
56%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
High
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,129

Energy Code Gap $540/yr
Wildfire $300/yr
Water / Lead $289/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

4,822 housing units in Modoc County

Pre-1940 16%
1940–1959 19%
1960–1979 29%
1980–1999 30%
2000+ 7%

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 Modoc County

$206K
Median Home Value
$300
Est. Remediation Cost
0.1%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Modoc 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 Modoc County residents

Asthma 10.8% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 14.9% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 31.9% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Modoc County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 City of Tulelake, 856 7
2 Newell County Water District 629 7
3 City of Alturas 2,715 4
4 California Pines C.s.d. 862 4
5 Isot Community Water System 116 0

6 total water systems serve Modoc County.

All ZIP Codes in Modoc County

9 ZIP codes tracked in Modoc County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 96015 Canby 99 A 0
2 96104 Cedarville 99 A 0 $248K
3 96101 Alturas 89 A 4 (2 health) $192K
4 96134 Tulelake 89 A 7 (2 health) $163K
5 96108 Davis Creek 66 C 0
6 96110 Eagleville 66 C 0 $218K
7 96112 Fort Bidwell 66 C 0 $194K
8 96115 Lake City 66 C 0 $289K
9 96116 Likely 66 C 0

Recommended Buyer Guides for Modoc 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.

Overview

Modoc County in California covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (78/100).

2 of 9 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to California water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Modoc County?
Modoc County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 9 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Modoc County?
Modoc County is served by 6 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 9 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Modoc County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Modoc County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,129 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Modoc County?
The median home build year in Modoc County is 1972. 75.6% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Modoc County compare to California?
Modoc County has an average water safety score of 78/100, which is above the California state average of 73/100.

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