COUNTY REPORT IL

Pope County, Illinois

2 ZIP codes · Avg score 55/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Although much of Pope County meets baseline standards, some of its 2 ZIP codes show violations that merit closer attention.

How Pope County Compares

Pope County55/100
Illinois avg61/100
National avg68/100

How Pope County Compares

C
County Grade
55/100
Avg Safety Score
2
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems

Pope County scores 6 points below the Illinois state average (61/100) and 13 points below the national average (68/100).

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

C
County Grade
55
Avg Safety Score
2
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 62938 (57/100)
Lowest ZIP: 62928 (53/100)
$136K
Median Home Value
$700
Avg Remediation (51% of home value)

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 15.7 (asthma 10.3%, diabetes 14.9%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $480, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.37% avg pipe failure probability, 50% of ZIPs at high risk

47% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

→ Stable trend

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

2021
1 (1 health)
2023
2 (2 health)
2025
6 (6 health)

Peak year: 2025 with 6 violations. Past 5 years: 9 total (9 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 10.3% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 14.9% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 39.6% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1992
Median Build Year
47%
Pre-1978 Housing
37%
Pipe Failure Probability
50%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Moderate
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: $480

Energy Code Gap $405/yr
Water / Lead $75/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

1,649 housing units in Pope County

Pre-1940 19%
1940–1959 11%
1960–1979 18%
1980–1999 33%
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 Pope County

$136K
Median Home Value
$700
Est. Remediation Cost
0.5%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 10.3% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 14.9% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 39.6% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

All ZIP Codes in Pope County

2 ZIP codes tracked in Pope County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 62938 Golconda 57 C 3 (3 health) $151K
2 62928 Eddyville 53 D 0 $121K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Pope County

Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.

Overview

Pope County in Illinois covers 2 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (55/100).

1 of 2 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Illinois water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Pope County?
Pope 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 Pope County?
Pope County is served by 2 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 2 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Pope County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Pope County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $480 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Pope County?
The median home build year in Pope County is 1992. 47% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Pope County compare to Illinois?
Pope County has an average water safety score of 55/100, which is below the Illinois state average of 61/100.

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