Hillsdale County, Michigan
16 ZIP codes · Avg score 49/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
Hillsdale County's water safety record falls below average — health-based violations are on file in a notable share of the county's 16 ZIP codes, and several systems have recorded exceedances that trigger federal notification requirements.
How Hillsdale County Compares
How Hillsdale County Compares
Hillsdale 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: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Hillsdale County, Michigan
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.2 (asthma 11.7%, diabetes 13.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $996, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.402% avg pipe failure probability, 31% of ZIPs at high risk
69.8% 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: $996
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
19,917 housing units in Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsdale | 8,163 | 6 |
| 2 | Jonesville | 2,258 | 6 |
| 3 | Michindoh Conference Center | 779 | 6 |
| 4 | Country Living Adult Foster Care | 56 | 6 |
| 5 | Woods of Lochaven | 2 | 6 |
12 total water systems serve Hillsdale County.
All ZIP Codes in Hillsdale County
16 ZIP codes tracked in Hillsdale County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49274 | Reading | 70 | B | 0 | $161K |
| 2 | 49242 | Hillsdale | 69 | C | 6 (1 health) | $183K |
| 3 | 49250 | Jonesville | 66 | C | 0 | $159K |
| 4 | 49232 | Camden | 63 | C | 3 | $214K |
| 5 | 49282 | Somerset Center | 55 | C | 1 | $37K |
| 6 | 49288 | Waldron | 55 | C | 1 | $132K |
| 7 | 49227 | Allen | 40 | D | 0 | $172K |
| 8 | 49239 | Frontier | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 9 | 49246 | Horton | 40 | D | 0 | $230K |
| 10 | 49249 | Jerome | 40 | D | 0 | $221K |
| 11 | 49255 | Montgomery | 40 | D | 0 | $121K |
| 12 | 49257 | Moscow | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 13 | 49258 | Mosherville | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 14 | 49262 | North Adams | 40 | D | 0 | $123K |
| 15 | 49266 | Osseo | 40 | D | 0 | $156K |
| 16 | 49281 | Somerset | 40 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Hillsdale County
Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 69.8% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Hillsdale County, Michigan
Overview
Hillsdale County in Michigan covers 16 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (49/100).
4 of 16 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.
What You Can Do
Hillsdale 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
69.8% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.