COUNTY REPORT MN

Kittson County, Minnesota

10 ZIP codes · Avg score 52/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03

While Kittson County's situation varies by ZIP, its 10 ZIP codes collectively fall below the state average — addressing specific concerns starts with checking the system that serves a given address.

How Kittson County Compares

Kittson County52/100
Minnesota avg62/100
National avg68/100

How Kittson County Compares

D
County Grade
52/100
Avg Safety Score
10
ZIP Codes
7
Water Systems

Kittson County scores 10 points below the Minnesota state average (62/100) and 16 points below the national average (68/100).

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

D
County Grade
52
Avg Safety Score
10
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 56732 (66/100)
Lowest ZIP: 56735 (37/100)
$143K
Median Home Value
$2,280
Avg Remediation (160% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Kittson 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: 13.7 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 12.5%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,879, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.436% avg pipe failure probability, 78% of ZIPs at high risk

77.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

↑ Worsening trend

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

2021
1 (1 health)
2022
3 (3 health)
2023
3 (3 health)
2024
4 (4 health)
2025
4 (4 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 4 violations. Past 5 years: 15 total (15 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 9.9% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.5% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 34% (national: 32.4%)

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

Infrastructure Overview

1962
Median Build Year
77.4%
Pre-1978 Housing
44%
Pipe Failure Probability
78%
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: $1,879

Flood $780/yr
Energy Code Gap $459/yr
Wildfire $300/yr

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

Housing Age Distribution

2,294 housing units in Kittson County

Pre-1940 24%
1940–1959 20%
1960–1979 29%
1980–1999 17%
2000+ 10%

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 Kittson County

$143K
Median Home Value
$2,280
Est. Remediation Cost
1.6%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

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

Asthma 9.9% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.5% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 34% (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 Kittson County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Lancaster 361 30
2 Oak Manor Mobile Home Park 150 30
3 Kennedy 181 1
4 Kittson Marshall Water 2,752 1
5 Lake Bronson 168 1

7 total water systems serve Kittson County.

All ZIP Codes in Kittson County

10 ZIP codes tracked in Kittson County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 56732 Karlstad 66 C 0 $151K
2 56733 Kennedy 65 C 1 $88K
3 56734 Lake Bronson 55 C 1 $95K
4 56720 Donaldson 53 D 0
5 56729 Halma 53 D 0 $205K
6 56740 Noyes 53 D 0
7 56728 Hallock 52 D 0 $157K
8 56731 Humboldt 45 D 0 $135K
9 56755 Saint Vincent 45 D 0 $58K
10 56735 Lancaster 37 F 30 (14 health) $164K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Kittson County

Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.

Overview

Kittson County in Minnesota covers 10 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (52/100).

3 of 10 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 14 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Minnesota water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

What You Can Do

Kittson County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.

1

Test your tap water

Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.

2

Consider a certified water filter

NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher

3

Contact your water utility

Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.

4

Check for lead in your home

77.4% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Kittson County?
Kittson County receives a grade of D. 1 of 10 ZIP codes have health-based violations. Independent water testing is recommended.
How many water systems serve Kittson County?
Kittson County is served by 7 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 10 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Kittson County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Kittson County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,879 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Kittson County?
The median home build year in Kittson County is 1962. 77.4% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Kittson County compare to Minnesota?
Kittson County has an average water safety score of 52/100, which is below the Minnesota state average of 62/100.

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