COUNTY REPORT IA

Dickinson County, Iowa

7 ZIP codes · Avg score 67/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Based on current EPA data, Dickinson County's 7 ZIP codes reflect fair but mixed water safety.

How Dickinson County Compares

Dickinson County67/100
Iowa avg59/100
National avg68/100

How Dickinson County Compares

C
County Grade
67/100
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
10
Water Systems

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

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

C
County Grade
67
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 51351 (70/100)
Lowest ZIP: 51360 (64/100)
$256K
Median Home Value
$2,357
Avg Remediation (92% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Dickinson 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: 13.9 (asthma 9.7%, diabetes 12.1%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $700, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.441% avg pipe failure probability, 57% of ZIPs at high risk

68.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 9.7% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.1% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 37.2% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1972
Median Build Year
68.3%
Pre-1978 Housing
44%
Pipe Failure Probability
57%
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: $700

Energy Code Gap $321/yr
Water / Lead $236/yr
Flood $143/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

13,835 housing units in Dickinson County

Pre-1940 16%
1940–1959 13%
1960–1979 27%
1980–1999 18%
2000+ 27%

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 Dickinson County

$256K
Median Home Value
$2,357
Est. Remediation Cost
0.9%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 9.7% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.1% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 37.2% (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 Dickinson County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Milford Municipal Utilities 3,321 4
2 Terril Municipal Waterworks 334 3
3 Arnolds Park Water Department 1,110 1
4 Okoboji Water Supply 768 1
5 Wahpeton Water Supply 408 1

10 total water systems serve Dickinson County.

All ZIP Codes in Dickinson County

7 ZIP codes tracked in Dickinson County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 51351 Milford 70 B 0 $256K
2 51355 Okoboji 70 B 0 $441K
3 51331 Arnolds Park 66 C 0 $416K
4 51347 Lake Park 66 C 0 $181K
5 51363 Superior 66 C 0 $74K
6 51364 Terril 65 C 3 $132K
7 51360 Spirit Lake 64 C 1 (1 health) $256K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Dickinson County

Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.

Overview

Dickinson County in Iowa covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (67/100).

2 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation have been documented.

← Back to Iowa water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Dickinson County?
Dickinson 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 Dickinson County?
Dickinson County is served by 10 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 7 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Dickinson County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Dickinson County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $700 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Dickinson County?
The median home build year in Dickinson County is 1972. 68.3% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Dickinson County compare to Iowa?
Dickinson County has an average water safety score of 67/100, which is above the Iowa state average of 59/100.

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