COUNTY REPORT IA

Union County, Iowa

1 ZIP code · Avg score 65/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Compared to top-scoring counties, Union County's 1 ZIP code land in the middle tier — some meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and the gap between the best and worst areas is wider than average.

How Union County Compares

Union County65/100
Iowa avg59/100
National avg68/100

How Union County Compares

C
County Grade
65/100
Avg Safety Score
1
ZIP Codes
5
Water Systems

Union 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

C
County Grade
65
Avg Safety Score
1
ZIP Codes
Only ZIP: 50801
$121K
Median Home Value
$2,900
Avg Remediation (240% of home value)

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 13.9 (asthma 10.1%, diabetes 12.1%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,270, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.48% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk

80% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 10.1% (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

1952
Median Build Year
80%
Pre-1978 Housing
48%
Pipe Failure Probability
100%
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: $1,270

Flood $600/yr
Water / Lead $400/yr
Energy Code Gap $270/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

4,504 housing units in Union County

Pre-1940 40%
1940–1959 11%
1960–1979 25%
1980–1999 13%
2000+ 11%

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 Union County

$121K
Median Home Value
$2,900
Est. Remediation Cost
2.4%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value moderate burden

Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.

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 Union County residents

Asthma 10.1% (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 Union County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Creston Water Supply 7,536 0
2 Sirwa #2 (creston) 20,793 0
3 Sirwa #3 (osceola) 4,080 0
4 Sirwa - Corning 2,585 0
5 Sirwa #1 (greenfield) 1,712 0

All ZIP Codes in Union County

1 ZIP code tracked in Union County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 50801 Creston 65 C 0 $121K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Union County

Retailer arrangements don't shape what appears here — the selection logic is independent, filtered against EPA detections and the federal hazard data on file for this county.

Overview

Union County in Iowa covers 1 ZIP code with an average Home Safety Score of C (65/100).

No EPA violations recorded across any tracked ZIP codes in Union County.

← Back to Iowa water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Union County?
Union 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 Union County?
Union County is served by 5 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 1 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Union County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Union County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,270 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Union County?
The median home build year in Union County is 1952. 80% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Union County compare to Iowa?
Union County has an average water safety score of 65/100, which is above the Iowa state average of 59/100.

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