Bay County, Michigan
11 ZIP codes · Avg score 77/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Bay County earns a high water safety grade — 11 ZIP codes tracked, virtually all compliant.
How Bay County Compares
How Bay County Compares
Bay County scores 3 points above the Michigan state average (74/100) and 9 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Bay County, Michigan
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.6 (asthma 11.5%, diabetes 12.8%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,748, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.402% avg pipe failure probability, 55% of ZIPs at high risk
74.5% 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: $1,748
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
47,932 housing units in Bay 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 Bay County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Bay 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 Bay 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 Bay County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Midland, | 42,547 | 4 |
| 2 | City of Bay City, | 32,255 | 4 |
| 3 | Hampton Township | 9,652 | 4 |
| 4 | Auburn | 2,087 | 3 |
| 5 | Bangor Township | 11,999 | 3 |
13 total water systems serve Bay County.
All ZIP Codes in Bay County
11 ZIP codes tracked in Bay County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48611 | Auburn | 94 | A | 3 | $167K |
| 2 | 48650 | Pinconning | 90 | A | 1 | $136K |
| 3 | 48631 | Kawkawlin | 85 | A | 0 | $164K |
| 4 | 48634 | Linwood | 85 | A | 0 | $157K |
| 5 | 48707 | Bay City | 82 | B | 1 (1 health) | — |
| 6 | 48708 | Bay City | 77 | B | 1 (1 health) | $99K |
| 7 | 48747 | Munger | 73 | B | 0 | $121K |
| 8 | 48706 | Bay City | 67 | C | 1 (1 health) | $142K |
| 9 | 48613 | Bentley | 66 | C | 0 | $155K |
| 10 | 48652 | Rhodes | 66 | C | 0 | $161K |
| 11 | 48732 | Essexville | 66 | C | 1 (1 health) | $160K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Bay County
Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 74.5% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- 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 Bay County, Michigan
Overview
Bay County in Michigan covers 11 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (77/100).
6 of 11 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations 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.