COUNTY REPORT MI

Iron County, Michigan

9 ZIP codes · Avg score 72/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03

Although county size varies, Iron County's 9 ZIP codes share reliably safe tap water records and above-average compliance scores.

How Iron County Compares

Iron County72/100
Michigan avg74/100
National avg68/100

How Iron County Compares

B
County Grade
72/100
Avg Safety Score
9
ZIP Codes
15
Water Systems

Iron County scores 2 points below the Michigan state average (74/100) and 4 points above the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

B
County Grade
72
Avg Safety Score
9
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 49903 (82/100)
Lowest ZIP: 49964 (53/100)
$87K
Median Home Value
$600
Avg Remediation (69% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Iron 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: 16.1 (asthma 11.3%, diabetes 14.7%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $714, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.426% avg pipe failure probability, 63% of ZIPs at high risk

75.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 11.3% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 14.7% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 38.8% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1960
Median Build Year
75.8%
Pre-1978 Housing
43%
Pipe Failure Probability
63%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
High
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: $714

Energy Code Gap $360/yr
Water / Lead $217/yr
Underground Tanks $116/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

9,550 housing units in Iron County

Pre-1940 26%
1940–1959 21%
1960–1979 20%
1980–1999 23%
2000+ 10%

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 Iron County

$87K
Median Home Value
$600
Est. Remediation Cost
0.7%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 11.3% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 14.7% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 38.8% (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 Iron County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Iron River 3,019 8
2 Caspian 997 8
3 Alpha 198 5
4 CRYSTAL FALLS 1,922 3
5 Stambaugh Township-west Brule 580 3

15 total water systems serve Iron County.

All ZIP Codes in Iron County

9 ZIP codes tracked in Iron County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 49903 Amasa 82 B 2 $57K
2 49915 Caspian 82 B 3 $69K
3 49920 Crystal Falls 82 B 3 $120K
4 49927 Gaastra 82 B 2 $66K
5 49935 Iron River 82 B 3 $104K
6 49902 Alpha 79 B 5 $33K
7 49815 Channing 53 D 0 $119K
8 49881 Sagola 53 D 0 $209K
9 49964 Stambaugh 53 D 0

Recommended Buyer Guides for Iron County

Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.

Overview

Iron County in Michigan covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (72/100).

6 of 9 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 Iron County?
Iron County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 9 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Iron County?
Iron County is served by 15 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 9 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Iron County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Iron County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $714 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Iron County?
The median home build year in Iron County is 1960. 75.8% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Iron County compare to Michigan?
Iron County has an average water safety score of 72/100, which is below the Michigan state average of 74/100.

Get safety alerts for Iron, Michigan

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Check your water filter options Free tool — no phone call required.