Stephenson County, Illinois
14 ZIP codes · Avg score 53/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring data from Stephenson County's 14 ZIP codes tells a below-average story — health violations are present and system-level detail is worth checking.
How Stephenson County Compares
How Stephenson County Compares
Stephenson County scores 8 points below the Illinois state average (61/100) and 15 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Stephenson County, Illinois
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.9 (asthma 10.6%, diabetes 13.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,420, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.459% avg pipe failure probability, 71% of ZIPs at high risk
77.2% 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: $1,420
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
22,049 housing units in Stephenson 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 Stephenson County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Stephenson 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 Stephenson 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 Stephenson County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PEARL CITY | 790 | 24 |
| 2 | Winslow | 350 | 23 |
| 3 | Timber Ridge Mobile Estates | 150 | 13 |
| 4 | LENA | 2,680 | 12 |
| 5 | Freeport | 23,930 | 12 |
13 total water systems serve Stephenson County.
All ZIP Codes in Stephenson County
14 ZIP codes tracked in Stephenson County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 61060 | Orangeville | 70 | B | 0 | $157K |
| 2 | 61048 | Lena | 68 | C | 1 | $171K |
| 3 | 61018 | Dakota | 66 | C | 0 | $163K |
| 4 | 61039 | German Valley | 66 | C | 1 | $146K |
| 5 | 61019 | Davis | 61 | C | 4 | $226K |
| 6 | 61032 | Freeport | 56 | C | 12 (1 health) | $107K |
| 7 | 61050 | Mc Connell | 53 | D | 0 | $127K |
| 8 | 61067 | Ridott | 53 | D | 0 | $196K |
| 9 | 61013 | Cedarville | 51 | D | 2 | $111K |
| 10 | 61062 | Pearl City | 51 | D | 24 | $176K |
| 11 | 61089 | Winslow | 41 | D | 11 (1 health) | $118K |
| 12 | 61027 | Eleroy | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 13 | 61044 | Kent | 40 | D | 0 | $147K |
| 14 | 61070 | Rock City | 31 | F | 2 | $173K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Stephenson County
Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 2 ZIP codes
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 77.2% 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 Stephenson County, Illinois
Overview
Stephenson County in Illinois covers 14 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (53/100).
8 of 14 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
Stephenson 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
77.2% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.