COUNTY REPORT IA

Clayton County, Iowa

19 ZIP codes · Avg score 60/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Clayton County shows moderate water quality across its 19 ZIP codes — some areas carry violations worth monitoring.

How Clayton County Compares

Clayton County60/100
Iowa avg59/100
National avg68/100

How Clayton County Compares

C
County Grade
60/100
Avg Safety Score
19
ZIP Codes
16
Water Systems

Clayton County scores 1 points above the Iowa state average (59/100) and 8 points below the national average (68/100).

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

C
County Grade
60
Avg Safety Score
19
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 52035 (70/100)
Lowest ZIP: 52050 (40/100)
$157K
Median Home Value
$2,147
Avg Remediation (137% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Clayton County, Iowa

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: 15.4 (asthma 10%, diabetes 13.7%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $977, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.445% avg pipe failure probability, 79% of ZIPs at high risk

73.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.7% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 40.9% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1963
Median Build Year
73.3%
Pre-1978 Housing
45%
Pipe Failure Probability
79%
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: $977

Flood $400/yr
Energy Code Gap $303/yr
Water / Lead $274/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

11,284 housing units in Clayton County

Pre-1940 34%
1940–1959 12%
1960–1979 21%
1980–1999 17%
2000+ 16%

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 Clayton County

$157K
Median Home Value
$2,147
Est. Remediation Cost
1.4%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 10% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.7% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 40.9% (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 Clayton County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Epworth Water Supply 2,023 2
2 Farley Water Supply 1,766 2
3 Holy Cross Water Supply 356 2
4 Volga Water Supply 203 1
5 Luana Water Works 301 1

16 total water systems serve Clayton County.

All ZIP Codes in Clayton County

19 ZIP codes tracked in Clayton County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 52035 Colesburg 70 B 0 $132K
2 52042 Edgewood 70 B 0 $230K
3 52047 Farmersburg 70 B 0 $101K
4 52049 Garnavillo 70 B 0 $168K
5 52072 Saint Olaf 70 B 0 $114K
6 52076 Strawberry Point 66 C 0 $140K
7 52156 Luana 66 C 1 $217K
8 52159 Monona 66 C 0 $149K
9 52077 Volga 65 C 1 $81K
10 52158 Marquette 64 C 0 $133K
11 52052 Guttenberg 60 C 0 $189K
12 52053 Holy Cross 60 C 2 $282K
13 52043 Elkader 59 C 0 $145K
14 52048 Garber 53 D 0 $82K
15 52146 Harpers Ferry 53 D 0 $215K
16 52044 Elkport 45 D 0
17 52157 Mc Gregor 45 D 0 $164K
18 52038 Dundee 40 D 0 $169K
19 52050 Greeley 40 D 0 $211K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Clayton County

Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.

Overview

Clayton County in Iowa covers 19 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (60/100).

3 of 19 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

← Back to Iowa water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Clayton County?
Clayton County receives a grade of C. Some ZIP codes have recorded violations and residents in affected areas may want to test their water.
How many water systems serve Clayton County?
Clayton County is served by 16 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 19 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Clayton County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Clayton County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $977 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Clayton County?
The median home build year in Clayton County is 1963. 73.3% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Clayton County compare to Iowa?
Clayton County has an average water safety score of 60/100, which is above the Iowa state average of 59/100.

Get safety alerts for Clayton, Iowa

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Check your water filter options Free tool — no phone call required.