Gem County, Idaho
2 ZIP codes · Avg score 80/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Homeowners across Gem County's 2 ZIP codes live with water safety scores that generally beat state and national averages.
How Gem County Compares
How Gem County Compares
Gem County scores 14 points above the Idaho state average (66/100) and 12 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.1 (asthma 10.7%, diabetes 11.5%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,990, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.38% avg pipe failure probability
66% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
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: $1,990
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
6,932 housing units in Gem 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 Gem County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Gem 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 Gem 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 Gem County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Emmett | 6,700 | 3 |
| 2 | Bonnie Laura Subd | 60 | 3 |
| 3 | Cherry Ridge Rehab | 50 | 3 |
| 4 | Edgemont Subd | 40 | 3 |
| 5 | Picket Corral Owners Association | 35 | 3 |
All ZIP Codes in Gem County
2 ZIP codes tracked in Gem County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 83617 | Emmett | 94 | A | 3 (1 health) | $364K |
| 2 | 83636 | Letha | 66 | C | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Gem County
If FEMA records flag flood-top-risk status or EPA samples show PFAS exceedances, the matching logic lifts emergency-water and PFAS-rated filtration into the recommendations — federal data drives the order, not retailer arrangements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 66% of homes built before 1978
- Best HEPA Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke — Wildfire is the top compound risk factor
Overview
Gem County in Idaho covers 2 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (80/100).
1 of 2 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation have been documented.
← Back to Idaho 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.