Calhoun County, Michigan
17 ZIP codes · Avg score 49/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water compliance in Calhoun County is below average — 17 ZIP codes, elevated violation rates.
How Calhoun County Compares
How Calhoun County Compares
Calhoun County scores 25 points below the Michigan state average (74/100) and 19 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Calhoun County, Michigan
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.8 (asthma 11.8%, diabetes 13.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,135, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.424% avg pipe failure probability, 56% of ZIPs at high risk
74.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Calhoun County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 48 violations. Past 5 years: 59 total (59 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
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: $1,135
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
52,830 housing units in Calhoun 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 Calhoun County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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 Calhoun County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battle Creek - Verona System | 43,975 | 55 |
| 2 | Emmett Township | 2,550 | 55 |
| 3 | Pennfield Township | 3,916 | 55 |
| 4 | Np Creek Valley South | 245 | 55 |
| 5 | Np Creek Valley North | 170 | 55 |
17 total water systems serve Calhoun County.
All ZIP Codes in Calhoun County
17 ZIP codes tracked in Calhoun County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49224 | Albion | 69 | C | 5 (1 health) | $120K |
| 2 | 49094 | Union City | 62 | C | 1 | $127K |
| 3 | 49252 | Litchfield | 62 | C | 0 | $122K |
| 4 | 49068 | Marshall | 60 | C | 1 | $197K |
| 5 | 49092 | Tekonsha | 55 | C | 0 | $138K |
| 6 | 49011 | Athens | 54 | D | 3 | $140K |
| 7 | 49033 | Ceresco | 53 | D | 0 | $248K |
| 8 | 49051 | East Leroy | 53 | D | 0 | $257K |
| 9 | 49069 | Marshall | 53 | D | 1 | — |
| 10 | 49245 | Homer | 48 | D | 6 (3 health) | $147K |
| 11 | 49037 | Battle Creek | 45 | D | 11 (7 health) | $91K |
| 12 | 49014 | Battle Creek | 40 | D | 11 (7 health) | $159K |
| 13 | 49015 | Battle Creek | 40 | D | 11 (7 health) | $171K |
| 14 | 49020 | Bedford | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 15 | 49052 | Fulton | 40 | D | 0 | $189K |
| 16 | 49016 | Battle Creek | 33 | F | 11 (7 health) | — |
| 17 | 49018 | Battle Creek | 33 | F | 11 (7 health) | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Calhoun County
Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.
- 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 Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Calhoun County, Michigan
Overview
Calhoun County in Michigan covers 17 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (49/100).
11 of 17 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 39 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.
What You Can Do
Calhoun County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
74.5% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.