COUNTY REPORT MI

Clare County, Michigan

5 ZIP codes · Avg score 85/100 · Grade A · Updated 2026-06-03

Clare County's tap water quality puts it in the upper tier nationally; the 5 ZIP codes here record few health-based violations.

How Clare County Compares

Clare County85/100
Michigan avg74/100
National avg68/100

How Clare County Compares

A
County Grade
85/100
Avg Safety Score
5
ZIP Codes
5
Water Systems

Clare 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

A
County Grade
85
Avg Safety Score
5
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 48622 (98/100)
Lowest ZIP: 48633 (66/100)
$130K
Median Home Value
$1,400
Avg Remediation (107% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Clare County, Michigan

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: 16.9 (asthma 12.1%, diabetes 15.4%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $724, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.376% avg pipe failure probability, 40% of ZIPs at high risk

62.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 12.1% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 15.4% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 40.5% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1976
Median Build Year
62.8%
Pre-1978 Housing
38%
Pipe Failure Probability
40%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
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: $724

Energy Code Gap $324/yr
Water / Lead $200/yr
Flood $120/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

23,016 housing units in Clare County

Pre-1940 6%
1940–1959 16%
1960–1979 37%
1980–1999 26%
2000+ 15%

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 Clare County

$130K
Median Home Value
$1,400
Est. Remediation Cost
1.1%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Clare 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 Clare County residents

Asthma 12.1% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 15.4% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 40.5% (US avg: 32.4%)

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

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Clare County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 City of Harrison, 1,100 4
2 Country Place 115 4
3 City of Clare, 3,118 3
4 Farwell, Village of 871 3
5 North Woods Nursing Center 71 3

All ZIP Codes in Clare County

5 ZIP codes tracked in Clare County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 48622 Farwell 98 A 3 $124K
2 48617 Clare 95 A 0 $155K
3 48625 Harrison 92 A 4 $96K
4 48632 Lake 73 B 0 $130K
5 48633 Lake George 66 C 0 $247K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Clare County

Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.

Overview

Clare County in Michigan covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of A (85/100).

2 of 5 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

← Back to Michigan water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Clare County?
Clare County receives a grade of A, indicating generally safe tap water across its 5 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Clare County?
Clare County is served by 5 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 5 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Clare County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Clare County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $724 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Clare County?
The median home build year in Clare County is 1976. 62.8% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Clare County compare to Michigan?
Clare County has an average water safety score of 85/100, which is above the Michigan state average of 74/100.

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