Adams County, Iowa
3 ZIP codes · Avg score 50/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Adams County ranks below average for water safety, with health-based violations recorded across multiple of its 3 ZIP codes.
How Adams County Compares
How Adams County Compares
Adams County scores 9 points below the Iowa state average (59/100) and 18 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.7 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 13.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $737, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.467% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
76% 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: $737
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
1,718 housing units in Adams 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 Adams County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Adams 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 Adams County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
All ZIP Codes in Adams County
3 ZIP codes tracked in Adams County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50841 | Corning | 70 | B | 1 | $116K |
| 2 | 50839 | Carbon | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 3 | 50859 | Prescott | 40 | D | 0 | $163K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Adams County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 76% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Overview
Adams County in Iowa covers 3 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (50/100).
1 of 3 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← Back to Iowa 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
Adams 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
76% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.