McLeod County, Minnesota
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 64/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike top-rated counties, McLeod County's 8 ZIP codes carry a fair number of documented violations — chlorine compliance and disinfection byproduct limits are the categories most often cited in recent data.
How McLeod County Compares
How McLeod County Compares
McLeod County scores 2 points above the Minnesota state average (62/100) and 4 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: McLeod County, Minnesota
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.4 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 11.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $921, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.393% avg pipe failure probability, 38% of ZIPs at high risk
69.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across McLeod County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 3 violations. Past 5 years: 4 total (4 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: $921
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
16,369 housing units in McLeod 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 McLeod County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in McLeod 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 McLeod 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 McLeod County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stewart | 482 | 4 |
| 2 | Winsted | 2,226 | 1 |
| 3 | Howard Lake | 2,180 | 1 |
| 4 | Mayer | 1,900 | 1 |
| 5 | Brownton | 722 | 0 |
12 total water systems serve McLeod County.
All ZIP Codes in McLeod County
8 ZIP codes tracked in McLeod County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55312 | Brownton | 70 | B | 0 | $214K |
| 2 | 55336 | Glencoe | 70 | B | 0 | $236K |
| 3 | 55350 | Hutchinson | 70 | B | 0 | $239K |
| 4 | 55354 | Lester Prairie | 70 | B | 0 | $244K |
| 5 | 55370 | Plato | 66 | C | 0 | $332K |
| 6 | 55395 | Winsted | 62 | C | 1 | $229K |
| 7 | 55381 | Silver Lake | 55 | C | 0 | $233K |
| 8 | 55385 | Stewart | 51 | D | 4 (3 health) | $181K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for McLeod 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.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 69.5% 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 McLeod County, Minnesota
Overview
McLeod County in Minnesota covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (64/100).
2 of 8 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.