Mercer County, Kentucky
3 ZIP codes · Avg score 62/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Mercer: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Spanning 3 ZIP codes, Mercer County lands near the national median for water safety - compliance results are mixed, and the county's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability rather than a single systemic problem.
How Mercer County Compares
How Mercer County Compares
Mercer County scores 1 points above the Kentucky state average (61/100) and 6 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Risk Factors
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $2,240, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.427% avg pipe failure probability, 67% of ZIPs at high risk
52% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Mercer County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 6 violations. Past 5 years: 8 total (8 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
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: $2,240
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
10,696 housing units in Mercer 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 Mercer County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Mercer 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.
Water systems serving Mercer County
7 community water systems serving Mercer County.
- C
- C
- C
- C
- C
- C
Show all 7 water systems
- C
Systems with the most violations in Mercer County
2 water systems with recorded EPA violations.
- C
- C
All ZIP Codes in Mercer County
3 ZIP codes tracked in Mercer County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40372 | Salvisa | 64 | C | 2 (1 health) | $234K |
| 2 | 40310 | Burgin | 63 | C | 5 (2 health) | $123K |
| 3 | 40330 | Harrodsburg | 60 | C | 0 | $187K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Mercer County
Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance - guides surface only when county data warrants them.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 52% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Overview
Mercer County in Kentucky covers 3 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (62/100).
2 of 3 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Kentucky 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.