Caroline County, Maryland
14 ZIP codes · Avg score 82/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Caroline County's 14 ZIP codes, EPA compliance data shows above-average performance — violation rates are minimal, none of the county's systems have triggered health-based MCL exceedances in recent cycles, and the county's scores have stayed above the national baseline across every recent reporting period.
How Caroline County Compares
How Caroline County Compares
Caroline County scores 21 points above the Maryland state average (61/100) and 14 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Caroline County, Maryland
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15 (asthma 11.6%, diabetes 14%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $2,806, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.348% avg pipe failure probability, 8% of ZIPs at high risk
58.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Caroline County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 9 total (9 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
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: $2,806
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
14,426 housing units in Caroline 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 Caroline County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Caroline 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 Caroline 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 Caroline County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Town of Ridgely | 1,600 | 41 |
| 2 | TOWN OF GREENSBORO | 1,878 | 21 |
| 3 | Taylors Mobile Home Park | 27 | 21 |
| 4 | Benedictine School | 300 | 20 |
| 5 | Town of Denton | 4,500 | 15 |
14 total water systems serve Caroline County.
All ZIP Codes in Caroline County
14 ZIP codes tracked in Caroline County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21682 | Ridgely | 97 | A | 5 | — |
| 2 | 21683 | Ridgely | 97 | A | 5 | — |
| 3 | 21688 | Ridgely | 97 | A | 5 | — |
| 4 | 21629 | Denton | 94 | A | 6 (1 health) | $294K |
| 5 | 21660 | Ridgely | 93 | A | 5 | $323K |
| 6 | 21639 | Greensboro | 89 | A | 21 (1 health) | $270K |
| 7 | 21655 | Preston | 89 | A | 3 (1 health) | $291K |
| 8 | 21632 | Federalsburg | 88 | A | 9 (2 health) | $193K |
| 9 | 21640 | Henderson | 73 | B | 0 | $260K |
| 10 | 21641 | Hillsboro | 73 | B | 0 | $242K |
| 11 | 21609 | Bethlehem | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 12 | 21625 | Cordova | 66 | C | 0 | $356K |
| 13 | 21636 | Goldsboro | 66 | C | 0 | $257K |
| 14 | 21679 | Wye Mills | 66 | C | 0 | $544K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Caroline County
Filtered against federal data, fitted to local risks.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 58.8% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Caroline County, Maryland
Overview
Caroline County in Maryland covers 14 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (82/100).
8 of 14 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Maryland 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.