Alger County, Michigan
11 ZIP codes · Avg score 65/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike top-rated counties, Alger County's 11 ZIP codes carry a fair number of documented violations — chlorine compliance and disinfection byproduct limits are the categories most often cited in recent data.
How Alger County Compares
How Alger County Compares
Alger County scores 9 points below the Michigan state average (74/100) and 3 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Alger County, Michigan
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 13.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $651, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.366% avg pipe failure probability, 27% of ZIPs at high risk
64.3% 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: $651
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
7,143 housing units in Alger 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 Alger County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Alger 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 Alger 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 Alger County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHATHAM | 300 | 4 |
| 2 | Mathias Township | 175 | 4 |
| 3 | Garden | 270 | 1 |
| 4 | Munising | 2,783 | 1 |
| 5 | Munising Industrial Park | 465 | 1 |
6 total water systems serve Alger County.
All ZIP Codes in Alger County
11 ZIP codes tracked in Alger County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49835 | Garden | 83 | B | 1 | $161K |
| 2 | 49862 | Munising | 81 | B | 1 | $151K |
| 3 | 49891 | Trenary | 78 | B | 4 | $141K |
| 4 | 49839 | Grand Marais | 75 | B | 0 | $155K |
| 5 | 49816 | Chatham | 71 | B | 4 (1 health) | $174K |
| 6 | 49806 | Au Train | 63 | C | 0 | $259K |
| 7 | 49822 | Deerton | 53 | D | 0 | $322K |
| 8 | 49825 | Eben Junction | 53 | D | 0 | $208K |
| 9 | 49826 | Rumely | 53 | D | 0 | $167K |
| 10 | 49884 | Shingleton | 53 | D | 0 | $141K |
| 11 | 49895 | Wetmore | 53 | D | 0 | $164K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Alger 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 — 64.3% of homes built before 1978
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Alger County, Michigan
Overview
Alger County in Michigan covers 11 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (65/100).
4 of 11 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation have been documented.
← Back to Michigan 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.