COUNTY REPORT IN

Lawrence County, Indiana

7 ZIP codes · Avg score 50/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03

Water systems serving Lawrence County's 7 ZIP codes record elevated violation rates — residents in affected areas may want to verify their local system's current status.

How Lawrence County Compares

Lawrence County50/100
Indiana avg60/100
National avg68/100

How Lawrence County Compares

D
County Grade
50/100
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
8
Water Systems

Lawrence County scores 10 points below the Indiana state average (60/100) and 18 points below the national average (68/100).

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

D
County Grade
50
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 47421 (63/100)
Lowest ZIP: 47451 (36/100)
$165K
Median Home Value
$2,143
Avg Remediation (130% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Lawrence County, Indiana

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: 15.1 (asthma 11.4%, diabetes 13.9%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $726, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.415% avg pipe failure probability, 50% of ZIPs at high risk

66.2% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

↓ Improving trend

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

2021
9 (9 health)
2023
21 (21 health)
2024
3 (3 health)
2025
6 (6 health)

Peak year: 2023 with 21 violations. Past 5 years: 39 total (39 health-based). Health-based violations are declining versus the prior 2-year window.

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

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 11.4% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.9% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 42% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1981
Median Build Year
66.2%
Pre-1978 Housing
42%
Pipe Failure Probability
50%
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: $726

Flood $286/yr
Energy Code Gap $283/yr
Water / Lead $157/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

19,213 housing units in Lawrence County

Pre-1940 20%
1940–1959 15%
1960–1979 23%
1980–1999 24%
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 Lawrence County

$165K
Median Home Value
$2,143
Est. Remediation Cost
1.3%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 11.4% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.9% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 42% (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 Lawrence County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 North Lawrence Water Authority 11,625 27
2 OOLITIC WATER WORKS 1,315 20
3 South Lawrence Utilities 6,395 12
4 Mitchell Water Department 5,000 12
5 Bedford City Utilities 14,000 5

8 total water systems serve Lawrence County.

All ZIP Codes in Lawrence County

7 ZIP codes tracked in Lawrence County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 47421 Bedford 63 C 5 $165K
2 47446 Mitchell 62 C 7 $141K
3 47436 Heltonville 53 D 0 $200K
4 47470 Williams 53 D 0 $191K
5 47420 Avoca 40 D 0
6 47467 Tunnelton 40 D 0
7 47451 Oolitic 36 F 15 (9 health) $131K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Lawrence County

Filtered against federal data, fitted to local risks.

Overview

Lawrence County in Indiana covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (50/100).

3 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 9 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Indiana water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

What You Can Do

Lawrence County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.

1

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.

2

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

3

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.

4

Check for lead in your home

66.2% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Lawrence County?
Lawrence County receives a grade of D. 1 of 7 ZIP codes have health-based violations. Independent water testing is recommended.
How many water systems serve Lawrence County?
Lawrence County is served by 8 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 7 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Lawrence County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Lawrence County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $726 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Lawrence County?
The median home build year in Lawrence County is 1981. 66.2% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Lawrence County compare to Indiana?
Lawrence County has an average water safety score of 50/100, which is below the Indiana state average of 60/100.

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