Monroe County, Iowa
2 ZIP codes · Avg score 62/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Although much of Monroe County meets baseline standards, some of its 2 ZIP codes show violations that merit closer attention.
How Monroe County Compares
How Monroe County Compares
Monroe 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
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.7 (asthma 10%, diabetes 11.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $670, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.455% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
73.5% 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: $670
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
3,062 housing units in Monroe 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 Monroe County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Monroe 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 Monroe County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 3 systems in Monroe County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rathbun Regional Water Assn (rathbun) | 33,000 | 0 |
| 2 | Lovilia Municipal Water Department | 472 | 0 |
| 3 | Albia Municipal Water Works | 3,721 | 0 |
All ZIP Codes in Monroe County
2 ZIP codes tracked in Monroe County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50150 | Lovilia | 66 | C | 0 | $119K |
| 2 | 52531 | Albia | 57 | C | 0 | $141K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Monroe County
Editorial methodology pairs each documented risk in this county with the buyer category that addresses it, drawing on water-quality detections, housing-stock lead exposure, EPA Radon Zone designation, and FEMA flood and wildfire ratings. NSF-certified options surface where applicable, and products that match the specific contaminant take priority.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 73.5% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Overview
Monroe County in Iowa covers 2 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (62/100).
No EPA violations recorded across any tracked ZIP codes in Monroe County.
← 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.