Traverse County, Minnesota
6 ZIP codes · Avg score 56/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Traverse County, 6 tracked ZIP codes reveal moderate water quality — national standards are generally met, with some documented exceptions.
How Traverse County Compares
How Traverse County Compares
Traverse 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: Traverse County, Minnesota
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.4 (asthma 10.1%, diabetes 13%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,837, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.458% avg pipe failure probability, 83% of ZIPs at high risk
74% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Traverse County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 5 violations. Past 5 years: 8 total (8 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: $1,837
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
2,074 housing units in Traverse 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 Traverse County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Traverse 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 Traverse 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 Traverse County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norcross | 50 | 5 |
| 2 | Tintah | 68 | 4 |
| 3 | Wheaton | 1,465 | 1 |
| 4 | Browns Valley | 566 | 0 |
| 5 | Dumont | 75 | 0 |
All ZIP Codes in Traverse County
6 ZIP codes tracked in Traverse County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56236 | Dumont | 70 | B | 0 | $141K |
| 2 | 56274 | Norcross | 66 | C | 5 (4 health) | $150K |
| 3 | 56583 | Tintah | 65 | C | 4 (2 health) | $208K |
| 4 | 56296 | Wheaton | 52 | D | 1 | $99K |
| 5 | 56219 | Browns Valley | 45 | D | 0 | $169K |
| 6 | 56565 | Nashua | 40 | D | 0 | $130K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Traverse 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.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 74% 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
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Traverse County, Minnesota
Overview
Traverse County in Minnesota covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (56/100).
3 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 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.