Cherokee County, Iowa
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 65/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems across Cherokee County's 8 ZIP codes produce average compliance results overall — pockets with documented violations exist, and the variation between areas makes ZIP-level lookup the most useful tool for residents here.
How Cherokee County Compares
How Cherokee County Compares
Cherokee County scores 6 points above the Iowa state average (59/100) and 3 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Cherokee County, Iowa
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.1 (asthma 10%, diabetes 13.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,223, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.522% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
90.3% 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: $1,223
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
5,538 housing units in Cherokee 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 Cherokee County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quimby Water Supply | 249 | 1 |
| 2 | Aurelia Water Supply | 968 | 0 |
| 3 | Cherokee Water Supply - Plant 1 | 5,199 | 0 |
| 4 | Cherokee Rws - Cherokee Subsystem | 3,315 | 0 |
| 5 | Cherokee Rws- Mill Creek Subsystem | 1,451 | 0 |
11 total water systems serve Cherokee County.
All ZIP Codes in Cherokee County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Cherokee County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51005 | Aurelia | 66 | C | 0 | $172K |
| 2 | 51014 | Cleghorn | 66 | C | 0 | $132K |
| 3 | 51029 | Larrabee | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 4 | 51035 | Marcus | 66 | C | 0 | $183K |
| 5 | 51037 | Meriden | 66 | C | 0 | $165K |
| 6 | 51049 | Quimby | 66 | C | 1 | $103K |
| 7 | 51061 | Washta | 66 | C | 0 | $91K |
| 8 | 51012 | Cherokee | 60 | C | 0 | $128K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Cherokee County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 90.3% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cherokee County, Iowa
Overview
Cherokee County in Iowa covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (65/100).
1 of 8 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.