COUNTY REPORT IA

Winneshiek County, Iowa

9 ZIP codes · Avg score 59/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04

Compared to top-scoring counties, Winneshiek County's 9 ZIP codes 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 Winneshiek County Compares

Winneshiek County59/100
Iowa avg59/100
National avg68/100

How Winneshiek County Compares

C
County Grade
59/100
Avg Safety Score
9
ZIP Codes
14
Water Systems

Winneshiek County scores 0 points above the Iowa state average (59/100) and 9 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04

C
County Grade
59
Avg Safety Score
9
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 52144 (70/100)
Lowest ZIP: 52166 (40/100)
$201K
Median Home Value
$1,656
Avg Remediation (82% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Winneshiek 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: 12.9 (asthma 9.6%, diabetes 11%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $698, driven primarily by water_lead

Infrastructure: 0.476% avg pipe failure probability, 88% of ZIPs at high risk

74.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 9.6% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 35.1% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1953
Median Build Year
74.4%
Pre-1978 Housing
48%
Pipe Failure Probability
88%
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: $698

Water / Lead $272/yr
Energy Code Gap $270/yr
Flood $156/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

8,619 housing units in Winneshiek County

Pre-1940 38%
1940–1959 13%
1960–1979 16%
1980–1999 19%
2000+ 15%

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 Winneshiek County

$201K
Median Home Value
$1,656
Est. Remediation Cost
0.8%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 9.6% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 35.1% (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 Winneshiek County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Decorah Water Department 7,615 2
2 Freeport Water District 775 2
3 Scenic View Estates 78 2
4 Sherman Place Water & Road, Inc. 73 2
5 Deerfield Heights Association 28 2

14 total water systems serve Winneshiek County.

All ZIP Codes in Winneshiek County

9 ZIP codes tracked in Winneshiek County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 52144 Fort Atkinson 70 B 0 $194K
2 52168 Spillville 68 C 0 $157K
3 52132 Calmar 66 C 0 $226K
4 52133 Castalia 66 C 0 $209K
5 52161 Ossian 66 C 0 $174K
6 52165 Ridgeway 65 C 2 $271K
7 52101 Decorah 53 D 2 $250K
8 52149 Highlandville 40 D 0
9 52166 Saint Lucas 40 D 0 $115K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Winneshiek County

Filtered against federal data, fitted to local risks.

Overview

Winneshiek County in Iowa covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (59/100).

2 of 9 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 Winneshiek County?
Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek County?
Winneshiek County is served by 14 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 9 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Winneshiek County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Winneshiek County is water_lead. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $698 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Winneshiek County?
The median home build year in Winneshiek County is 1953. 74.4% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Winneshiek County compare to Iowa?
Winneshiek County has an average water safety score of 59/100, which is above the Iowa state average of 59/100.

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