Worcester County, Maryland
12 ZIP codes · Avg score 78/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Worcester County's 12 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 Worcester County Compares
How Worcester County Compares
Worcester County scores 17 points above the Maryland state average (61/100) and 10 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Worcester County, Maryland
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.2 (asthma 10.4%, diabetes 13.8%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $4,515, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.358% avg pipe failure probability, 20% of ZIPs at high risk
60.2% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Worcester County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 12 violations. Past 5 years: 20 total (20 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: $4,515
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
57,345 housing units in Worcester 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 Worcester County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Worcester 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 Worcester 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 Worcester County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Town of Ocean City | 30,000 | 22 |
| 2 | Delmarva Mobile Home Park | 62 | 22 |
| 3 | Bb Apartments (prev Woc Village Apts) | 40 | 22 |
| 4 | Four Seasons Park Inc. | 25 | 22 |
| 5 | Mystic Harbour | 5,945 | 12 |
18 total water systems serve Worcester County.
All ZIP Codes in Worcester County
12 ZIP codes tracked in Worcester County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21843 | Ocean City | 93 | A | 11 (2 health) | — |
| 2 | 21841 | Newark | 90 | A | 4 | $326K |
| 3 | 21813 | Bishopville | 89 | A | 2 | $563K |
| 4 | 21863 | Snow Hill | 89 | A | 2 (1 health) | $246K |
| 5 | 21851 | Pocomoke City | 86 | A | 6 (4 health) | $187K |
| 6 | 21811 | Berlin | 78 | B | 1 | $363K |
| 7 | 21829 | Girdletree | 73 | B | 0 | $183K |
| 8 | 21842 | Ocean City | 73 | B | 11 (2 health) | $416K |
| 9 | 21862 | Showell | 73 | B | 0 | — |
| 10 | 21857 | Rehobeth | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 11 | 21864 | Stockton | 66 | C | 0 | $173K |
| 12 | 21838 | Marion Station | 60 | C | 0 | $179K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Worcester County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 60.2% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Worcester County, Maryland
Overview
Worcester County in Maryland covers 12 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (78/100).
7 of 12 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 9 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.