Garrett County, Maryland
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 69/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent monitoring cycles, Garrett County's 8 ZIP codes show a split record — several have documented water safety violations.
How Garrett County Compares
How Garrett County Compares
Garrett County scores 8 points above the Maryland state average (61/100) and 1 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Garrett County, Maryland
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.9 (asthma 11.1%, diabetes 14.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $971, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.336% avg pipe failure probability, 14% of ZIPs at high risk
60.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2024–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Garrett County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 2 violations. Past 5 years: 4 total (4 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: $971
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
17,360 housing units in Garrett 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 Garrett County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Garrett 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 Garrett 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 Garrett County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Town of Accident | 300 | 2 |
| 2 | WHITE OAK MOBILE HOME PARK | 32 | 2 |
| 3 | Town of Deer Park | 272 | 2 |
| 4 | Town of Grantsville | 885 | 0 |
| 5 | Town of Mountain Lake Park | 3,000 | 0 |
8 total water systems serve Garrett County.
All ZIP Codes in Garrett County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Garrett County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21520 | Accident | 82 | B | 2 | $276K |
| 2 | 21561 | Swanton | 82 | B | 2 (1 health) | $289K |
| 3 | 21536 | Grantsville | 78 | B | 0 | $203K |
| 4 | 21550 | Oakland | 73 | B | 0 | $210K |
| 5 | 21538 | Kitzmiller | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 6 | 21541 | Mc Henry | 63 | C | 0 | $246K |
| 7 | 21531 | Friendsville | 55 | C | 0 | $170K |
| 8 | 21522 | Bittinger | 53 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Garrett County
Eight risk categories drive the selection — PFAS exceedance, lead above EPA action level, pre-1978 housing share, EPA Radon Zone 1, flood-top-risk, wildfire-top-risk, multi-contaminant load, and a baseline fallback — and each category maps to a specific buyer-guide track that surfaces when the county data hits its threshold for that hazard signal.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 60.4% of homes built before 1978
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Garrett County, Maryland
Overview
Garrett County in Maryland covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (69/100).
2 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation 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.