COUNTY REPORT IL

Effingham County, Illinois

7 ZIP codes · Avg score 70/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03

In current tracking cycles, Effingham County — spanning 7 ZIP codes — records above-average water quality outcomes; the county's compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards.

How Effingham County Compares

Effingham County70/100
Illinois avg61/100
National avg68/100

How Effingham County Compares

B
County Grade
70/100
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
16
Water Systems

Effingham County scores 9 points above the Illinois state average (61/100) and 2 points above the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

B
County Grade
70
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 62401 (83/100)
Lowest ZIP: 62443 (53/100)
$166K
Median Home Value
$1,443
Avg Remediation (87% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Effingham County, Illinois

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: 13.1 (asthma 10.2%, diabetes 11.3%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $689, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.404% avg pipe failure probability, 43% of ZIPs at high risk

60.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

→ Stable trend

EPA violation counts by year across Effingham County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
4 (4 health)
2023
8 (8 health)
2025
3 (3 health)

Peak year: 2023 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 15 total (15 health-based).

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10.2% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11.3% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 34.3% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1979
Median Build Year
60.6%
Pre-1978 Housing
40%
Pipe Failure Probability
43%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
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: $689

Energy Code Gap $424/yr
Water / Lead $236/yr
Flood $29/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

15,162 housing units in Effingham County

Pre-1940 14%
1940–1959 13%
1960–1979 26%
1980–1999 28%
2000+ 19%

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 Effingham County

$166K
Median Home Value
$1,443
Est. Remediation Cost
0.9%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 10.2% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11.3% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 34.3% (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 Effingham County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Ej Water Cooperative 29,720 55
2 Ej Water-mcwc 2,075 29
3 Shawnee Correctional Center 1,617 29
4 Heartville Pwd 1,092 29
5 Robinson Correctional Center 1,085 29

16 total water systems serve Effingham County.

All ZIP Codes in Effingham County

7 ZIP codes tracked in Effingham County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 62401 Effingham 83 B 0 $196K
2 62473 Watson 82 B 1 (1 health) $117K
3 62411 Altamont 81 B 2 (2 health) $139K
4 62424 Dieterich 73 B 29 (5 health) $204K
5 62467 Teutopolis 65 C 0 $226K
6 62414 Beecher City 53 D 23 (3 health) $130K
7 62443 Mason 53 D 0 $166K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Effingham County

Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.

Overview

Effingham County in Illinois covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (70/100).

4 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 11 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Illinois water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Effingham County?
Effingham County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 7 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Effingham County?
Effingham County is served by 16 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 7 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Effingham County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Effingham County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $689 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Effingham County?
The median home build year in Effingham County is 1979. 60.6% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Effingham County compare to Illinois?
Effingham County has an average water safety score of 70/100, which is above the Illinois state average of 61/100.

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