COUNTY REPORT MI

Tuscola County, Michigan

16 ZIP codes · Avg score 83/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03

Unlike many counties its size, Tuscola County keeps violation rates low — all 16 ZIP codes score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.

How Tuscola County Compares

Tuscola County83/100
Michigan avg74/100
National avg68/100

How Tuscola County Compares

B
County Grade
83/100
Avg Safety Score
16
ZIP Codes
12
Water Systems

Tuscola County scores 9 points above the Michigan state average (74/100) and 15 points above the national average (68/100).

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

B
County Grade
83
Avg Safety Score
16
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 48769 (99/100)
Lowest ZIP: 48733 (65/100)
$140K
Median Home Value
$1,122
Avg Remediation (80% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Tuscola 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: 15.1 (asthma 11.6%, diabetes 13%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $995, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.407% avg pipe failure probability, 53% of ZIPs at high risk

75.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 11.6% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 40.7% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1970
Median Build Year
75.4%
Pre-1978 Housing
41%
Pipe Failure Probability
53%
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: $995

Energy Code Gap $405/yr
Flood $275/yr
Water / Lead $225/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

25,348 housing units in Tuscola County

Pre-1940 21%
1940–1959 19%
1960–1979 29%
1980–1999 22%
2000+ 9%

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 Tuscola County

$140K
Median Home Value
$1,122
Est. Remediation Cost
0.8%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 11.6% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 40.7% (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 Tuscola County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Akron 402 6
2 Cass City, Village of 2,428 6
3 Gagetown, Village of 388 6
4 City of Caro, 5,029 5
5 Mayville, Village of 950 5

12 total water systems serve Tuscola County.

All ZIP Codes in Tuscola County

16 ZIP codes tracked in Tuscola County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 48769 Vassar 99 A 1
2 48735 Gagetown 98 A 3 $118K
3 48746 Millington 98 A 2 $166K
4 48757 Reese 95 A 0 $173K
5 48723 Caro 90 A 5 $131K
6 48767 Unionville 90 A 0 $127K
7 48744 Mayville 87 A 2 $142K
8 48741 Kingston 86 A 2 $146K
9 48768 Vassar 85 A 1 $138K
10 48726 Cass City 84 B 3 $121K
11 48701 Akron 83 B 6 $98K
12 48435 Fostoria 73 B 0 $142K
13 48710 University Center 66 C 0
14 48729 Deford 66 C 0 $147K
15 48760 Silverwood 66 C 0 $151K
16 48733 Fairgrove 65 C 0 $100K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Tuscola County

Filtered against EPA monitoring data and CDC lead-exposure guidance, the guides below skip the generic catalog and connect directly to the contaminants and hazards on file here.

Overview

Tuscola County in Michigan covers 16 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (83/100).

9 of 16 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 Tuscola County?
Tuscola County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 16 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Tuscola County?
Tuscola County is served by 12 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 16 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Tuscola County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Tuscola County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $995 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Tuscola County?
The median home build year in Tuscola County is 1970. 75.4% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Tuscola County compare to Michigan?
Tuscola County has an average water safety score of 83/100, which is above the Michigan state average of 74/100.

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