Ford County, Illinois
9 ZIP codes · Avg score 51/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Ford County's 9 monitored ZIP codes, water quality data indicates below-average safety — independent testing is a reasonable precaution.
How Ford County Compares
How Ford County Compares
Ford County scores 10 points below the Illinois state average (61/100) and 17 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Ford County, Illinois
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.1 (asthma 10.6%, diabetes 12.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,562, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.517% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
88.9% 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: $1,562
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
6,339 housing units in Ford 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 Ford County
Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.
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 Ford 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 Ford County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roberts | 367 | 6 |
| 2 | Cabery | 266 | 5 |
| 3 | Stelle Community Assn | 100 | 5 |
| 4 | Elliott | 269 | 3 |
| 5 | Piper City | 875 | 2 |
11 total water systems serve Ford County.
All ZIP Codes in Ford County
9 ZIP codes tracked in Ford County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60936 | Gibson City | 66 | C | 1 | $151K |
| 2 | 60946 | Kempton | 66 | C | 1 | $68K |
| 3 | 60957 | Paxton | 66 | C | 1 | $122K |
| 4 | 60952 | Melvin | 55 | C | 0 | $87K |
| 5 | 60933 | Elliott | 53 | D | 3 (1 health) | $82K |
| 6 | 60959 | Piper City | 48 | D | 2 | $91K |
| 7 | 60919 | Cabery | 42 | D | 5 | $151K |
| 8 | 60962 | Roberts | 35 | F | 6 | $68K |
| 9 | 61773 | Sibley | 28 | F | 2 (1 health) | $104K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Ford 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 Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 88.9% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ford County, Illinois
Overview
Ford County in Illinois covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (51/100).
8 of 9 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Illinois 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.
What You Can Do
Ford County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
88.9% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.