Benzie County, Michigan
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 85/100 · Grade A · Updated 2026-06-03
Benzie County maintains reliable drinking water quality across all 8 of its tracked ZIP codes.
How Benzie County Compares
How Benzie County Compares
Benzie County scores 11 points above the Michigan state average (74/100) and 17 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Benzie 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 11.1%, diabetes 12.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $659, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.384% avg pipe failure probability, 25% of ZIPs at high risk
61.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Benzie County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 4 violations. Past 5 years: 7 total (7 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: $659
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
11,969 housing units in Benzie 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 Benzie County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Benzie 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 Benzie 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 Benzie County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benzonia Village of | 511 | 11 |
| 2 | Beulah, Village of | 380 | 11 |
| 3 | Elberta, Village of | 372 | 7 |
| 4 | Crystal Highlands Subdivision | 50 | 7 |
| 5 | Buttercup Shores | 40 | 7 |
10 total water systems serve Benzie County.
All ZIP Codes in Benzie County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Benzie County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49683 | Thompsonville | 97 | A | 6 (2 health) | $174K |
| 2 | 49616 | Benzonia | 96 | A | 3 | $204K |
| 3 | 49630 | Empire | 95 | A | 1 | $440K |
| 4 | 49617 | Beulah | 88 | A | 7 (1 health) | $268K |
| 5 | 49635 | Frankfort | 87 | A | 1 | $332K |
| 6 | 49628 | Elberta | 84 | B | 3 | $272K |
| 7 | 49625 | Copemish | 66 | C | 0 | $164K |
| 8 | 49640 | Honor | 66 | C | 0 | $285K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Benzie County
Strictly editorial — no paid placements influence which guides appear; the selection draws on NSF certifications and EPA detection records for water systems serving this county.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 61.1% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Benzie County, Michigan
Overview
Benzie County in Michigan covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of A (85/100).
6 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 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.