COUNTY REPORT IN

Shelby County, Indiana

8 ZIP codes · Avg score 54/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03

State safety rankings put Shelby County near the bottom — 8 ZIP codes, below-average compliance.

How Shelby County Compares

Shelby County54/100
Indiana avg60/100
National avg68/100

How Shelby County Compares

D
County Grade
54/100
Avg Safety Score
8
ZIP Codes
9
Water Systems

Shelby County scores 6 points below the Indiana state average (60/100) and 14 points below the national average (68/100).

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

D
County Grade
54
Avg Safety Score
8
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 46182 (63/100)
Lowest ZIP: 46144 (40/100)
$202K
Median Home Value
$2,350
Avg Remediation (116% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Shelby 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: 14.9 (asthma 11.2%, diabetes 13.7%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,398, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.405% avg pipe failure probability, 75% of ZIPs at high risk

73% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 11.2% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.7% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 40.8% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1964
Median Build Year
73%
Pre-1978 Housing
41%
Pipe Failure Probability
75%
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: $1,398

Flood $850/yr
Energy Code Gap $304/yr
Water / Lead $244/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

18,155 housing units in Shelby County

Pre-1940 22%
1940–1959 17%
1960–1979 25%
1980–1999 22%
2000+ 14%

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 Shelby County

$202K
Median Home Value
$2,350
Est. Remediation Cost
1.2%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 11.2% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.7% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 40.8% (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 Shelby County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Indiana American Water - Shelbyville 19,093 6
2 MORRISTOWN WATER DEPARTMENT 1,218 4
3 Emerald Ii 98 3
4 Woodland Village Mobile Home Park 58 3
5 Suburban Court Apartments 53 3

9 total water systems serve Shelby County.

All ZIP Codes in Shelby County

8 ZIP codes tracked in Shelby County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 46182 Waldron 63 C 1 $197K
2 46176 Shelbyville 59 C 3 (1 health) $172K
3 46161 Morristown 57 C 1 $207K
4 46126 Fairland 56 C 2 $233K
5 46110 Boggstown 53 D 0 $217K
6 46130 Fountaintown 53 D 0 $285K
7 47272 Saint Paul 53 D 0 $132K
8 46144 Gwynneville 40 D 0 $137K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Shelby County

Filtered against EPA monitoring data and CDC lead-exposure guidance, the guides below skip the generic catalog and connect directly to the contaminants and hazards on file here.

Overview

Shelby County in Indiana covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (54/100).

4 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation have been documented.

← Back to Indiana water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

What You Can Do

Shelby 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

73% 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 Shelby County?
Shelby County receives a grade of D. 1 of 8 ZIP codes have health-based violations. Independent water testing is recommended.
How many water systems serve Shelby County?
Shelby County is served by 9 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 8 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Shelby County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Shelby County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,398 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Shelby County?
The median home build year in Shelby County is 1964. 73% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Shelby County compare to Indiana?
Shelby County has an average water safety score of 54/100, which is below the Indiana state average of 60/100.

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