COUNTY REPORT MN

Dakota County, Minnesota

18 ZIP codes · Avg score 58/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Water safety in Dakota County is uneven — some of its 18 ZIP codes meet standards cleanly while others carry documented violations.

How Dakota County Compares

Dakota County58/100
Minnesota avg62/100
National avg68/100

How Dakota County Compares

C
County Grade
58/100
Avg Safety Score
18
ZIP Codes
20
Water Systems

Dakota County scores 4 points below the Minnesota state average (62/100) and 10 points below the national average (68/100).

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

C
County Grade
58
Avg Safety Score
18
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 55068 (70/100)
Lowest ZIP: 55121 (40/100)
$352K
Median Home Value
$2,639
Avg Remediation (75% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Dakota County, Minnesota

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: 11.2 (asthma 9.8%, diabetes 9.7%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $979, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.329% avg pipe failure probability, 11% of ZIPs at high risk

50.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

↑ Worsening trend

EPA violation counts by year across Dakota County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
1 (1 health)
2023
8 (8 health)
2024
27 (27 health)
2025
58 (58 health)

Peak year: 2025 with 58 violations. Past 5 years: 94 total (94 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

Asthma 9.8% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 9.7% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 34.5% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1982
Median Build Year
50.1%
Pre-1978 Housing
33%
Pipe Failure Probability
11%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
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: $979

Flood $444/yr
Energy Code Gap $335/yr
Water / Lead $103/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

167,694 housing units in Dakota County

Pre-1940 3%
1940–1959 6%
1960–1979 25%
1980–1999 42%
2000+ 24%

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 Dakota County

$352K
Median Home Value
$2,639
Est. Remediation Cost
0.7%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 9.8% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 9.7% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 34.5% (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 Dakota County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Randolph 355 9
2 Inver Grove Heights 34,189 8
3 Skyline Village Mobile Home Park 1,185 8
4 Lakeville 67,300 5
5 Queen Anne Court 400 4

20 total water systems serve Dakota County.

All ZIP Codes in Dakota County

18 ZIP codes tracked in Dakota County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 55068 Rosemount 70 B 1 $380K
2 55306 Burnsville 70 B 0 $366K
3 56514 Barnesville 70 B 0 $234K
4 55085 Vermillion 66 C 0 $291K
5 55024 Farmington 65 C 0 $351K
6 55337 Burnsville 65 C 0 $328K
7 55044 Lakeville 63 C 4 $465K
8 55033 Hastings 59 C 1 (1 health) $336K
9 55076 Inver Grove Heights 58 C 4 (3 health) $309K
10 55077 Inver Grove Heights 58 C 4 (3 health) $497K
11 55031 Hampton 55 C 0 $393K
12 55065 Randolph 54 D 9 (1 health) $372K
13 55122 Saint Paul 53 D 0 $343K
14 55123 Saint Paul 53 D 0 $442K
15 55124 Saint Paul 53 D 0 $354K
16 55118 Saint Paul 45 D 0 $332K
17 55120 Saint Paul 40 D 0 $485K
18 55121 Saint Paul 40 D 0 $300K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Dakota County

Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.

Overview

Dakota County in Minnesota covers 18 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (58/100).

6 of 18 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Minnesota water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Dakota County?
Dakota 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 Dakota County?
Dakota County is served by 20 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 18 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Dakota County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Dakota County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $979 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Dakota County?
The median home build year in Dakota County is 1982. 50.1% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Dakota County compare to Minnesota?
Dakota County has an average water safety score of 58/100, which is below the Minnesota state average of 62/100.

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