Blue Earth County, Minnesota
12 ZIP codes · Avg score 62/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring counties, Blue Earth County's 12 ZIP codes land in the middle tier — some meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and the gap between the best and worst areas is wider than average.
How Blue Earth County Compares
How Blue Earth County Compares
Blue Earth County scores 0 points above the Minnesota state average (62/100) and 6 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Blue Earth County, Minnesota
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 11.5 (asthma 10.5%, diabetes 9.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,021, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.411% avg pipe failure probability, 67% of ZIPs at high risk
72.9% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Blue Earth County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 4 violations. Past 5 years: 10 total (10 health-based).
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: $1,021
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
27,607 housing units in Blue Earth 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 Blue Earth County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Blue Earth 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 Blue Earth 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 Blue Earth County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mankato | 42,803 | 9 |
| 2 | Skyline | 289 | 9 |
| 3 | South Bend Township | 325 | 9 |
| 4 | Rapidan Development Company, Inc. | 164 | 9 |
| 5 | School Sisters of Notre Dame | 140 | 9 |
13 total water systems serve Blue Earth County.
All ZIP Codes in Blue Earth County
12 ZIP codes tracked in Blue Earth County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56055 | Lake Crystal | 70 | B | 0 | $218K |
| 2 | 56065 | Mapleton | 70 | B | 0 | $214K |
| 3 | 56002 | Mankato | 69 | C | 3 | — |
| 4 | 56037 | Good Thunder | 69 | C | 2 | $239K |
| 5 | 56024 | Eagle Lake | 66 | C | 0 | $259K |
| 6 | 56090 | Vernon Center | 66 | C | 0 | $182K |
| 7 | 56006 | Mankato | 65 | C | 3 | — |
| 8 | 56078 | Pemberton | 65 | C | 2 | $188K |
| 9 | 56001 | Mankato | 59 | C | 3 | $263K |
| 10 | 56080 | Saint Clair | 53 | D | 0 | $199K |
| 11 | 56034 | Garden City | 45 | D | 0 | $170K |
| 12 | 56010 | Amboy | 42 | D | 2 (1 health) | $158K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Blue Earth County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 72.9% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Blue Earth County, Minnesota
Overview
Blue Earth County in Minnesota covers 12 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (62/100).
6 of 12 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation have been documented.
← Back to Minnesota 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.