Howard County, Iowa
6 ZIP codes · Avg score 62/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Howard County: 6 ZIP codes, mid-range safety grade.
How Howard County Compares
How Howard County Compares
Howard County scores 3 points above the Iowa state average (59/100) and 6 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Howard County, Iowa
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.2 (asthma 10%, diabetes 12.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,092, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.528% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
82.3% 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: $1,092
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
5,028 housing units in Howard 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 Howard County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Howard 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 Howard 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 Howard County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chester Water Supply | 139 | 6 |
| 2 | Lime Springs Water Supply | 473 | 5 |
| 3 | Riceville Water Supply | 816 | 4 |
| 4 | Ionia Water Supply | 226 | 4 |
| 5 | Protivin Water Supply | 269 | 1 |
7 total water systems serve Howard County.
All ZIP Codes in Howard County
6 ZIP codes tracked in Howard County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50628 | Elma | 70 | B | 0 | $141K |
| 2 | 52155 | Lime Springs | 70 | B | 1 | $122K |
| 3 | 50466 | Riceville | 67 | C | 4 | $161K |
| 4 | 52136 | Cresco | 66 | C | 0 | $153K |
| 5 | 52134 | Chester | 64 | C | 2 | $231K |
| 6 | 52163 | Protivin | 36 | F | 1 | $106K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Howard County
Filtered against federal data, fitted to local risks.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 82.3% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Howard County, Iowa
Overview
Howard County in Iowa covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (62/100).
4 of 6 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.