Dorchester County, Maryland
13 ZIP codes · Avg score 74/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04
Across all 13 ZIP codes in Dorchester County, tap water consistently meets or exceeds federal safety standards.
How Dorchester County Compares
How Dorchester County Compares
Dorchester County scores 13 points above the Maryland state average (61/100) and 6 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Dorchester County, Maryland
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.9 (asthma 11.5%, diabetes 16.6%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $5,185, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.402% avg pipe failure probability, 54% of ZIPs at high risk
70.4% 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: $5,185
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
14,622 housing units in Dorchester 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 Dorchester County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Cambridge Water | 15,000 | 2 |
| 2 | Bonnie Brook | 390 | 2 |
| 3 | Lodgecliffe Distribution System | 300 | 2 |
| 4 | Town of Hurlock | 2,150 | 2 |
| 5 | Town of East New Market | 400 | 1 |
8 total water systems serve Dorchester County.
All ZIP Codes in Dorchester County
13 ZIP codes tracked in Dorchester County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21664 | Secretary | 95 | A | 0 | $172K |
| 2 | 21869 | Vienna | 95 | A | 0 | $203K |
| 3 | 21643 | Hurlock | 92 | A | 2 (1 health) | $220K |
| 4 | 21631 | East New Market | 90 | A | 1 | $308K |
| 5 | 21613 | Cambridge | 79 | B | 2 (1 health) | $280K |
| 6 | 21627 | Crocheron | 73 | B | 0 | — |
| 7 | 21835 | Linkwood | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 8 | 21626 | Crapo | 65 | C | 0 | $708K |
| 9 | 21675 | Wingate | 65 | C | 0 | — |
| 10 | 21622 | Church Creek | 60 | C | 0 | $248K |
| 11 | 21648 | Madison | 60 | C | 0 | $171K |
| 12 | 21672 | Toddville | 60 | C | 0 | $85K |
| 13 | 21677 | Woolford | 60 | C | 0 | $439K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Dorchester County
Filtered against EPA monitoring data and CDC lead-exposure guidance, the guides below skip the generic catalog and connect directly to the contaminants and hazards on file here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 70.4% of homes built before 1978
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Dorchester County, Maryland
Overview
Dorchester County in Maryland covers 13 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (74/100).
3 of 13 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 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.