Livingston County, Illinois
19 ZIP codes · Avg score 54/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
Livingston County's 19 ZIP codes show a poor compliance record — repeated MCL exceedances have kept the county in the bottom tier for water safety.
How Livingston County Compares
How Livingston County Compares
Livingston County scores 7 points below the Illinois state average (61/100) and 14 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Livingston County, Illinois
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.7 (asthma 10.5%, diabetes 12.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,720, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.49% avg pipe failure probability, 84% of ZIPs at high risk
81.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Livingston County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 20 total (20 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
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: $1,720
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
23,397 housing units in Livingston 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 Livingston County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Livingston 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 Livingston 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 Livingston County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairbury | 3,633 | 33 |
| 2 | Chenoa | 1,785 | 20 |
| 3 | Meadows Mennonite Home | 140 | 20 |
| 4 | Il American-pontiac | 11,864 | 12 |
| 5 | Pontiac Correctional Center | 1,665 | 12 |
20 total water systems serve Livingston County.
All ZIP Codes in Livingston County
19 ZIP codes tracked in Livingston County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 61741 | Forrest | 70 | B | 0 | $155K |
| 2 | 61319 | Cornell | 68 | C | 1 | $172K |
| 3 | 61769 | Saunemin | 66 | C | 0 | $118K |
| 4 | 61364 | Streator | 65 | C | 0 | $97K |
| 5 | 60920 | Campus | 63 | C | 3 | $125K |
| 6 | 60929 | Cullom | 61 | C | 2 | $90K |
| 7 | 61775 | Strawn | 59 | C | 1 (1 health) | $114K |
| 8 | 61739 | Fairbury | 58 | C | 1 (1 health) | $160K |
| 9 | 61740 | Flanagan | 56 | C | 3 | $130K |
| 10 | 60460 | Odell | 55 | C | 0 | $167K |
| 11 | 60961 | Reddick | 55 | C | 11 (4 health) | $160K |
| 12 | 60921 | Chatsworth | 54 | D | 3 | $105K |
| 13 | 61311 | Ancona | 53 | D | 0 | $116K |
| 14 | 61333 | Long Point | 53 | D | 0 | $98K |
| 15 | 61764 | Pontiac | 46 | D | 12 | $122K |
| 16 | 61726 | Chenoa | 41 | D | 20 (8 health) | $127K |
| 17 | 61313 | Blackstone | 40 | D | 0 | $205K |
| 18 | 61743 | Graymont | 40 | D | 0 | $141K |
| 19 | 60934 | Emington | 24 | F | 7 (4 health) | $142K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Livingston County
Editorial methodology pairs each documented risk in this county with the buyer category that addresses it, drawing on water-quality detections, housing-stock lead exposure, EPA Radon Zone designation, and FEMA flood and wildfire ratings. NSF-certified options surface where applicable, and products that match the specific contaminant take priority.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 81.6% 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 Livingston County, Illinois
Overview
Livingston County in Illinois covers 19 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (54/100).
11 of 19 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 18 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
Livingston 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
81.6% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.