Kent County, Maryland
9 ZIP codes · Avg score 77/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-04
Based on current EPA data, Kent County's 9 ZIP codes maintain an above-average drinking water safety record.
How Kent County Compares
How Kent County Compares
Kent County scores 16 points above the Maryland state average (61/100) and 9 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Kent County, Maryland
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.9 (asthma 10.4%, diabetes 13.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $3,166, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.391% avg pipe failure probability, 50% of ZIPs at high risk
66.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Kent County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 3 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: $3,166
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
10,448 housing units in Kent 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 Kent County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Kent 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 Kent 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 Kent County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Town of Chestertown | 5,400 | 2 |
| 2 | Worton | 955 | 2 |
| 3 | Fairlee | 725 | 2 |
| 4 | Town of Galena | 560 | 2 |
| 5 | Kennedyville | 300 | 2 |
9 total water systems serve Kent County.
All ZIP Codes in Kent County
9 ZIP codes tracked in Kent County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21610 | Betterton | 99 | A | 0 | $219K |
| 2 | 21645 | Kennedyville | 88 | A | 1 (1 health) | $299K |
| 3 | 21620 | Chestertown | 84 | B | 2 (1 health) | $319K |
| 4 | 21661 | Rock Hall | 78 | B | 1 | $259K |
| 5 | 21628 | Crumpton | 73 | B | 0 | $168K |
| 6 | 21678 | Worton | 73 | B | 0 | $307K |
| 7 | 21650 | Massey | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 8 | 21656 | Price | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 9 | 21667 | Still Pond | 66 | C | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Kent County
Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 66.6% of homes built before 1978
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Kent County, Maryland
Overview
Kent County in Maryland covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (77/100).
3 of 9 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.