Marquette County, Michigan
13 ZIP codes · Avg score 68/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in Marquette County, the 13 tracked ZIP codes show adequate but uneven water quality.
How Marquette County Compares
How Marquette County Compares
Marquette County scores 6 points below the Michigan state average (74/100) and 0 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Marquette County, Michigan
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.2 (asthma 11.5%, diabetes 10.8%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,053, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.42% avg pipe failure probability, 58% 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 Marquette County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 2 violations. Past 5 years: 5 total (5 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: $1,053
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
33,614 housing units in Marquette 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 Marquette County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Marquette 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 Marquette 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 Marquette County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marquette Township | 2,700 | 11 |
| 2 | Richmond Township | 489 | 8 |
| 3 | Forsyth Township | 2,479 | 7 |
| 4 | ISHPEMING | 6,470 | 6 |
| 5 | Negaunee Township | 961 | 6 |
20 total water systems serve Marquette County.
All ZIP Codes in Marquette County
13 ZIP codes tracked in Marquette County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49879 | Republic | 83 | B | 0 | $90K |
| 2 | 49849 | Ishpeming | 81 | B | 1 | $146K |
| 3 | 49865 | National Mine | 80 | B | 1 | — |
| 4 | 49841 | Gwinn | 79 | B | 2 | $150K |
| 5 | 49866 | Negaunee | 79 | B | 5 | $192K |
| 6 | 49871 | Palmer | 79 | B | 8 (3 health) | $76K |
| 7 | 49885 | Skandia | 72 | B | 1 | $218K |
| 8 | 49808 | Big Bay | 70 | B | 4 | $254K |
| 9 | 49814 | Champion | 53 | D | 0 | $143K |
| 10 | 49833 | Little Lake | 53 | D | 0 | $124K |
| 11 | 49861 | Michigamme | 53 | D | 0 | $229K |
| 12 | 49877 | Ralph | 53 | D | 0 | $138K |
| 13 | 49855 | Marquette | 46 | D | 6 | $245K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Marquette County
Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- 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
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Marquette County, Michigan
Overview
Marquette County in Michigan covers 13 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (68/100).
8 of 13 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.