COUNTY REPORT MI

St. Joseph County, Michigan

10 ZIP codes · Avg score 59/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Current EPA records place St. Joseph County in the middle tier for drinking water safety, with 10 ZIP codes showing a range of outcomes.

How St. Joseph County Compares

St. Joseph County59/100
Michigan avg74/100
National avg68/100

How St. Joseph County Compares

C
County Grade
59/100
Avg Safety Score
10
ZIP Codes
14
Water Systems

St. Joseph County scores 15 points below the Michigan state average (74/100) and 9 points below the national average (68/100).

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

C
County Grade
59
Avg Safety Score
10
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 49091 (70/100)
Lowest ZIP: 49089 (40/100)
$165K
Median Home Value
$2,120
Avg Remediation (128% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: St. Joseph 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: 14.7 (asthma 11.6%, diabetes 12.8%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,124, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.425% avg pipe failure probability, 80% of ZIPs at high risk

74.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 11.6% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.8% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 38.1% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1963
Median Build Year
74.3%
Pre-1978 Housing
43%
Pipe Failure Probability
80%
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: $1,124

Energy Code Gap $459/yr
Water / Lead $325/yr
Flood $260/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

26,550 housing units in St. Joseph County

Pre-1940 25%
1940–1959 17%
1960–1979 25%
1980–1999 22%
2000+ 11%

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 St. Joseph County

$165K
Median Home Value
$2,120
Est. Remediation Cost
1.3%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County residents

Asthma 11.6% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.8% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 38.1% (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 St. Joseph County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Centreville 1,579 14
2 Colon 1,190 7
3 Lockport Township 1,778 7
4 Mendon 920 7
5 Constantine 2,075 6

14 total water systems serve St. Joseph County.

All ZIP Codes in St. Joseph County

10 ZIP codes tracked in St. Joseph County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 49091 Sturgis 70 B 0 $174K
2 49099 White Pigeon 70 B 1 $172K
3 49032 Centreville 69 C 4 (1 health) $160K
4 49030 Burr Oak 61 C 3 $119K
5 49072 Mendon 61 C 7 $169K
6 49075 Nottawa 61 C 5 $63K
7 49042 Constantine 60 C 2 $162K
8 49093 Three Rivers 54 D 3 $174K
9 49066 Leonidas 40 D 0 $188K
10 49089 Sherwood 40 D 0 $121K

Recommended Buyer Guides for St. Joseph County

Strictly editorial — no paid placements influence which guides appear; the selection draws on NSF certifications and EPA detection records for water systems serving this county.

Overview

St. Joseph County in Michigan covers 10 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (59/100).

7 of 10 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation have been documented.

← Back to Michigan water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in St. Joseph County?
St. Joseph County receives a grade of C. Some ZIP codes have recorded violations and residents in affected areas may want to test their water.
How many water systems serve St. Joseph County?
St. Joseph County is served by 14 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 10 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in St. Joseph County?
The primary environmental risk factor in St. Joseph County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,124 per homeowner.
How old are homes in St. Joseph County?
The median home build year in St. Joseph County is 1963. 74.3% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does St. Joseph County compare to Michigan?
St. Joseph County has an average water safety score of 59/100, which is below the Michigan state average of 74/100.

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