Freeborn County, Minnesota
12 ZIP codes · Avg score 61/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
The systems supplying Freeborn County's 12 ZIP codes vary in performance — most meet minimum standards, but violations in select areas are on record.
How Freeborn County Compares
How Freeborn County Compares
Freeborn County scores 1 points below the Minnesota state average (62/100) and 7 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Freeborn County, Minnesota
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.9 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 12.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,195, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.453% avg pipe failure probability, 75% of ZIPs at high risk
82.2% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Freeborn County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 7 violations. Past 5 years: 22 total (22 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: $1,195
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
13,584 housing units in Freeborn 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 Freeborn County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Freeborn 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 Freeborn 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 Freeborn County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hollandale | 294 | 4 |
| 2 | Alden | 661 | 3 |
| 3 | Hartland | 321 | 3 |
| 4 | Albert Lea | 18,492 | 2 |
| 5 | St. John's Lutheran Community | 202 | 1 |
13 total water systems serve Freeborn County.
All ZIP Codes in Freeborn County
12 ZIP codes tracked in Freeborn County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56016 | Clarks Grove | 70 | B | 0 | $200K |
| 2 | 56036 | Glenville | 70 | B | 1 | $173K |
| 3 | 56020 | Conger | 66 | C | 0 | $95K |
| 4 | 56029 | Emmons | 66 | C | 0 | $115K |
| 5 | 56032 | Freeborn | 66 | C | 0 | $102K |
| 6 | 56042 | Hartland | 65 | C | 3 (1 health) | $201K |
| 7 | 56007 | Albert Lea | 63 | C | 1 | $161K |
| 8 | 56045 | Hollandale | 60 | C | 4 | $155K |
| 9 | 56035 | Geneva | 55 | C | 0 | $166K |
| 10 | 56089 | Twin Lakes | 55 | C | 0 | — |
| 11 | 56043 | Hayward | 50 | D | 1 (1 health) | $189K |
| 12 | 56009 | Alden | 42 | D | 3 (1 health) | $187K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Freeborn County
Eight risk categories drive the selection — PFAS exceedance, lead above EPA action level, pre-1978 housing share, EPA Radon Zone 1, flood-top-risk, wildfire-top-risk, multi-contaminant load, and a baseline fallback — and each category maps to a specific buyer-guide track that surfaces when the county data hits its threshold for that hazard signal.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 82.2% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Freeborn County, Minnesota
Overview
Freeborn County in Minnesota covers 12 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (61/100).
6 of 12 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations 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.