COUNTY REPORT MA

Worcester County, Massachusetts

105 ZIP codes · Avg score 61/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-07-19

ZipCheckup grade for Worcester: C.

A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.

The systems supplying Worcester County's 105 ZIP codes vary in performance - most meet minimum standards, but violations in select areas are on record.

How Worcester County Compares

Worcester County61/100
Massachusetts avg66/100
National avg68/100

How Worcester County Compares

C
County Grade
61/100
Avg Safety Score
105
ZIP Codes
127
Water Systems

Worcester County scores 5 points below the Massachusetts state average (66/100) and 7 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-07-19

C
County Grade
61
Avg Safety Score
105
ZIP Codes
West Warren
Best ZIP: 01092 (70/100)
Waban
Lowest ZIP: 02468 (40/100)
$393K
Median Home Value
$2,367
Avg Remediation (60% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Worcester County, Massachusetts

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 12 (asthma 12%, diabetes 10.3%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,666, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.481% avg pipe failure probability, 79% of ZIPs at high risk

69.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

↓ Improving trend

EPA violation counts by year across Worcester County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
2 (2 health)
2022
11 (11 health)
2023
4 (4 health)
2024
5 (5 health)
2025
3 (3 health)

Peak year: 2022 with 11 violations. Past 5 years: 25 total (25 health-based). Health-based violations are declining versus the prior 2-year window.

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 12% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 10.3% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 32.1% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1967
Median Build Year
69.6%
Pre-1978 Housing
48%
Pipe Failure Probability
79%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
High
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,666

Flood $577/yr
Energy Code Gap $507/yr
Sea Level Rise $400/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

364,998 housing units in Worcester County

Pre-1940 29%
1940–1959 17%
1960–1979 19%
1980–1999 21%
2000+ 13%

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

$393K
Median Home Value
$2,367
Est. Remediation Cost
0.6%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 12% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 10.3% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 32.1% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water systems serving Worcester County

8 community water systems serving Worcester County.

Show all 8 water systems

127 total water systems serve Worcester County.

Systems with the most violations in Worcester County

5 water systems with recorded EPA violations.

All ZIP Codes in Worcester County

105 ZIP codes tracked in Worcester County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 01092 West Warren 70 B 0 $326K
2 01331 Athol 70 B 0 $257K
3 01430 Ashburnham 70 B 1 $370K
4 01462 Lunenburg 70 B 0 $443K
5 01504 Blackstone 70 B 0 $395K
6 01516 Douglas 70 B 0 $437K
7 01520 Holden 70 B 0 $444K
8 01532 Northborough 70 B 0 $599K
9 01535 North Brookfield 70 B 0 $317K
10 01542 Rochdale 70 B 0 $380K
11 01566 Sturbridge 70 B 1 $393K
12 01585 West Brookfield 70 B 0 $320K
13 01601 Worcester 70 B 1 —
14 01607 Worcester 70 B 1 $341K
15 01609 Worcester 70 B 1 $422K
16 01613 Worcester 70 B 1 —
17 01740 Bolton 70 B 0 $722K
18 01747 Hopedale 70 B 0 $456K
19 01772 Southborough 70 B 0 $817K
20 01440 Gardner 69 C 1 (1 health) $271K
21 01507 Charlton 69 C 2 $405K
22 01562 Spencer 69 C 2 $368K
23 01570 Webster 69 C 2 $340K
24 01571 Dudley 69 C 2 $372K
25 01588 Whitinsville 69 C 2 $414K
26 01590 Sutton 69 C 2 $526K
27 01515 East Brookfield 68 C 5 $342K
28 01540 Oxford 68 C 9 (2 health) $346K
29 01583 West Boylston 68 C 1 $400K
30 01473 Westminster 67 C 3 (3 health) $394K
31 01031 Gilbertville 66 C 0 $238K
32 01037 Hardwick 66 C 0 $409K
33 01083 Warren 66 C 1 $375K
34 01094 Wheelwright 66 C 0 $433K
35 01434 Devens 66 C 1 $472K
36 01436 Baldwinville 66 C 0 $308K
37 01452 Hubbardston 66 C 1 $342K
38 01468 Templeton 66 C 0 $359K
39 01526 Manchaug 66 C 0 —
40 01546 Shrewsbury 66 C 0 —
41 01612 Paxton 66 C 0 $465K
42 01614 Worcester 66 C 1 —
43 01615 Worcester 66 C 1 —
44 01653 Worcester 66 C 1 —
45 01654 Worcester 66 C 1 —
46 01655 Worcester 66 C 1 —
47 01756 Mendon 66 C 0 $606K
48 01420 Fitchburg 65 C 0 $295K
49 01475 Winchendon 65 C 0 $295K
50 01506 Brookfield 65 C 1 $313K
51 01510 Clinton 65 C 0 $348K
52 01534 Northbridge 65 C 1 $452K
53 01545 Shrewsbury 65 C 0 $556K
54 01550 Southbridge 65 C 0 $267K
55 01569 Uxbridge 65 C 0 $418K
56 01602 Worcester 65 C 1 $381K
57 01603 Worcester 65 C 1 $288K
58 01604 Worcester 65 C 1 $322K
59 01605 Worcester 65 C 1 $350K
60 01606 Worcester 65 C 1 $344K
61 01608 Worcester 65 C 1 $117K
62 01501 Auburn 64 C 7 (1 health) $363K
63 01560 South Grafton 64 C 6 $443K
64 01451 Harvard 63 C 3 $849K
65 01503 Berlin 63 C 3 $567K
66 01368 Royalston 62 C 2 $325K
67 01441 Westminster 62 C 3 (3 health) —
68 01564 Sterling 62 C 2 (1 health) $467K
69 01580 Westborough 62 C 5 —
70 01582 Westborough 62 C 5 —
71 01543 Rutland 61 C 5 (4 health) $439K
72 01581 Westborough 61 C 5 $638K
73 01453 Leominster 60 C 0 $346K
74 01610 Worcester 60 C 1 $279K
75 01505 Boylston 59 C 8 $579K
76 01757 Milford 57 C 3 (2 health) $444K
77 01005 Barre 56 C 18 $329K
78 01611 Cherry Valley 55 C 8 $306K
79 01524 Leicester 54 D 8 $391K
80 01068 Oakham 53 D 0 $380K
81 01518 Fiskdale 53 D 0 $410K
82 01519 Grafton 53 D 10 $573K
83 01522 Jefferson 53 D 0 $386K
84 01527 Millbury 53 D 6 $416K
85 01529 Millville 53 D 0 $418K
86 01561 South Lancaster 53 D 0 —
87 01745 Fayville 53 D 0 $647K
88 02462 Newton Lower Falls 53 D 0 $1265K
89 02466 Auburndale 53 D 0 $1165K
90 01568 Upton 50 D 5 $559K
91 02465 West Newton 45 D 0 $1099K
92 02481 Wellesley Hills 45 D 0 $1643K
93 01074 South Barre 40 D 0 —
94 01366 Petersham 40 D 0 $375K
95 01431 Ashby 40 D 0 $362K
96 01438 East Templeton 40 D 0 $243K
97 01508 Charlton City 40 D 0 —
98 01509 Charlton Depot 40 D 0 —
99 01523 Lancaster 40 D 1 $467K
100 01531 New Braintree 40 D 0 $387K
101 01537 North Oxford 40 D 0 $338K
102 01538 North Uxbridge 40 D 0 —
103 01541 Princeton 40 D 0 $496K
104 01586 West Millbury 40 D 0 —
105 02468 Waban 40 D 0 $1809K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Worcester County

Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Worcester County, Massachusetts

Overview

Worcester County in Massachusetts covers 105 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (61/100).

54 of 105 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 17 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Massachusetts water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Worcester County?
Worcester County receives a grade of C. Some ZIP codes have recorded violations and residents in affected areas may want to test their water.
How many water systems serve Worcester County?
Worcester County is served by 127 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 105 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Worcester County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Worcester County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,666 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Worcester County?
The median home build year in Worcester County is 1967. 69.6% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Worcester County compare to Massachusetts?
Worcester County has an average water safety score of 61/100, which is below the Massachusetts state average of 66/100.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Worcester County, MA: Lead Above EPA Limits - 61/100 (2026). https://zipcheckup.com/county/massachusetts/worcester/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-county-massachusetts-worcester,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Worcester County, MA: Lead Above EPA Limits - 61/100 (2026)}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/county/massachusetts/worcester/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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