COUNTY REPORT IL

Franklin County, Illinois

16 ZIP codes · Avg score 68/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Water monitoring across Franklin County's 16 ZIP codes paints a mid-range picture — solid compliance in some zones, documented concerns in others; most violations on record are concentrated in specific prior years rather than spread evenly across the full compliance history, and the overall county grade has held steady in the middle tier without major shifts in either direction.

How Franklin County Compares

Franklin County68/100
Illinois avg61/100
National avg68/100

How Franklin County Compares

C
County Grade
68/100
Avg Safety Score
16
ZIP Codes
23
Water Systems

Franklin County scores 7 points above the Illinois state average (61/100) and 0 points above the national average (68/100).

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

C
County Grade
68
Avg Safety Score
16
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 62884 (82/100)
Lowest ZIP: 62874 (50/100)
$72K
Median Home Value
$1,466
Avg Remediation (204% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Franklin 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: 15.3 (asthma 10.9%, diabetes 13.9%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $951, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.448% avg pipe failure probability, 73% of ZIPs at high risk

74.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10.9% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.9% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 41.6% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1963
Median Build Year
74.1%
Pre-1978 Housing
45%
Pipe Failure Probability
73%
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: $951

Energy Code Gap $473/yr
Water / Lead $353/yr
Flood $125/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

18,695 housing units in Franklin County

Pre-1940 22%
1940–1959 21%
1960–1979 27%
1980–1999 18%
2000+ 12%

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 Franklin County

$72K
Median Home Value
$1,466
Est. Remediation Cost
2.0%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value moderate burden

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 Franklin County residents

Asthma 10.9% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.9% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 41.6% (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 Franklin County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Rend Lake Inter-city Water System 3,650 37
2 Christopher 3,072 36
3 Akin Water District 2,368 36
4 Sesser 2,505 35
5 Benton 8,104 34

23 total water systems serve Franklin County.

All ZIP Codes in Franklin County

16 ZIP codes tracked in Franklin County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 62884 Sesser 82 B 3 $94K
2 62865 Mulkeytown 81 B 2 $155K
3 62822 Christopher 73 B 4 $71K
4 62819 Buckner 72 B 1 $52K
5 62825 Coello 72 B 0 $72K
6 62856 Logan 72 B 1 $56K
7 62983 Royalton 72 B 8 $66K
8 62890 Thompsonville 71 B 2 $100K
9 62891 Valier 71 B 2 $69K
10 62896 West Frankfort 70 B 0 $88K
11 62999 Zeigler 70 B 4 $53K
12 62897 Whittington 66 C 4 $86K
13 62812 Benton 54 D 30 (1 health) $101K
14 62836 Ewing 53 D 0 $99K
15 62840 Frankfort Heights 53 D 0
16 62874 Orient 50 D 0 $51K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Franklin County

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

Overview

Franklin County in Illinois covers 16 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (68/100).

11 of 16 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation have been documented.

← Back to Illinois water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Franklin County?
Franklin County receives a grade of C. Some ZIP codes have recorded violations and residents in affected areas may want to test their water.
How many water systems serve Franklin County?
Franklin County is served by 23 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 16 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Franklin County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Franklin County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $951 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Franklin County?
The median home build year in Franklin County is 1963. 74.1% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Franklin County compare to Illinois?
Franklin County has an average water safety score of 68/100, which is above the Illinois state average of 61/100.

Get safety alerts for Franklin, Illinois

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Check your water filter options Free tool — no phone call required.