Polk County, Minnesota
15 ZIP codes · Avg score 56/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring counties, Polk County's 15 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 Polk County Compares
How Polk County Compares
Polk County scores 6 points below the Minnesota state average (62/100) and 12 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Polk County, Minnesota
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.2 (asthma 10.2%, diabetes 11.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,754, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.419% avg pipe failure probability, 53% of ZIPs at high risk
76.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↓ Improving trendEPA violation counts by year across Polk County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 5 violations. Past 5 years: 14 total (14 health-based). Health-based violations are declining versus the prior 2-year window.
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: $1,754
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
14,095 housing units in Polk 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 Polk County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marshall-Polk Rural Water System | 3,295 | 12 |
| 2 | Climax | 223 | 12 |
| 3 | Fergus Falls | 14,194 | 11 |
| 4 | Elizabeth | 168 | 11 |
| 5 | Beltrami | 85 | 1 |
14 total water systems serve Polk County.
All ZIP Codes in Polk County
15 ZIP codes tracked in Polk County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56121 | Ceylon | 70 | B | 0 | $85K |
| 2 | 56556 | Mcintosh | 70 | B | 0 | $149K |
| 3 | 56723 | Fisher | 70 | B | 0 | $214K |
| 4 | 56542 | Fosston | 66 | C | 0 | $177K |
| 5 | 56592 | Winger | 66 | C | 0 | $140K |
| 6 | 56523 | Climax | 59 | C | 12 (3 health) | $145K |
| 7 | 56517 | Beltrami | 58 | C | 1 (1 health) | $145K |
| 8 | 56535 | Erskine | 57 | C | 1 | $215K |
| 9 | 56568 | Nielsville | 57 | C | 0 | $154K |
| 10 | 56722 | Euclid | 53 | D | 0 | $217K |
| 11 | 56736 | Mentor | 53 | D | 0 | $336K |
| 12 | 56721 | East Grand Forks | 50 | D | 0 | $247K |
| 13 | 56651 | Lengby | 40 | D | 0 | $178K |
| 14 | 56538 | Fergus Falls | 38 | F | 11 (10 health) | — |
| 15 | 56716 | Crookston | 35 | F | 0 | $178K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Polk County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Water Filters for Lead — Lead above EPA action level in 1 ZIP code
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 76.8% 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
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Polk County, Minnesota
Overview
Polk County in Minnesota covers 15 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (56/100).
4 of 15 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 14 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.