COUNTY REPORT IL

Union County, Illinois

7 ZIP codes · Avg score 70/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03

Across all 7 ZIP codes in Union County, tap water consistently meets or exceeds federal safety standards.

How Union County Compares

Union County70/100
Illinois avg61/100
National avg68/100

How Union County Compares

B
County Grade
70/100
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
9
Water Systems

Union County scores 9 points above the Illinois state average (61/100) and 2 points above the national average (68/100).

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

B
County Grade
70
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 62905 (83/100)
Lowest ZIP: 62973 (53/100)
$124K
Median Home Value
$1,471
Avg Remediation (118% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Union 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: 15.5 (asthma 10.8%, diabetes 14.7%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,089, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.415% avg pipe failure probability, 33% of ZIPs at high risk

62.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2022–2025)

↑ Worsening trend

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

2022
2 (2 health)
2023
4 (4 health)
2024
7 (7 health)
2025
1 (1 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 7 violations. Past 5 years: 14 total (14 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10.8% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 14.7% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 40.6% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1974
Median Build Year
62.8%
Pre-1978 Housing
42%
Pipe Failure Probability
33%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
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: $1,089

Flood $486/yr
Energy Code Gap $424/yr
Water / Lead $179/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

7,567 housing units in Union County

Pre-1940 17%
1940–1959 13%
1960–1979 29%
1980–1999 23%
2000+ 17%

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 Union County

$124K
Median Home Value
$1,471
Est. Remediation Cost
1.2%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 10.8% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 14.7% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 40.6% (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 Union County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Anna 4,910 11
2 Cobden 1,267 9
3 Choate Mhc 300 9
4 Dongola 752 3
5 Jonesboro 1,799 2

9 total water systems serve Union County.

All ZIP Codes in Union County

7 ZIP codes tracked in Union County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 62905 Alto Pass 83 B 0 $115K
2 62920 Cobden 83 B 0 $154K
3 62926 Dongola 74 B 3 $105K
4 62998 Wolf Lake 73 B 0
5 62906 Anna 72 B 9 (5 health) $138K
6 62952 Jonesboro 53 D 2 (1 health) $124K
7 62973 Perks 53 D 0

Recommended Buyer Guides for Union County

Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.

Overview

Union County in Illinois covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (70/100).

3 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Illinois water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Union County?
Union County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 7 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Union County?
Union County is served by 9 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 7 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Union County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Union County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,089 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Union County?
The median home build year in Union County is 1974. 62.8% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Union County compare to Illinois?
Union County has an average water safety score of 70/100, which is above the Illinois state average of 61/100.

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