Wadena County, Minnesota
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 55/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring across Wadena County's 5 ZIP codes paints a mid-range picture — solid compliance in some zones, documented concerns in others; most violations on record are concentrated in specific prior years rather than spread evenly across the full compliance history, and the overall county grade has held steady in the middle tier without major shifts in either direction.
How Wadena County Compares
How Wadena County Compares
Wadena County scores 7 points below the Minnesota state average (62/100) and 13 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Wadena 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 (asthma 10.5%, diabetes 12.6%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,002, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.374% avg pipe failure probability, 20% of ZIPs at high risk
64.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
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: $1,002
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
8,553 housing units in Wadena 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 Wadena County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Wadena 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 Wadena 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 Wadena County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perham | 3,421 | 1 |
| 2 | Sebeka | 739 | 1 |
| 3 | Twin Haven Estates | 200 | 1 |
| 4 | Menahga | 1,347 | 0 |
| 5 | Wadena | 4,332 | 0 |
6 total water systems serve Wadena County.
All ZIP Codes in Wadena County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Wadena County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56482 | Wadena | 70 | B | 0 | $168K |
| 2 | 56481 | Verndale | 56 | C | 0 | $166K |
| 3 | 56464 | Menahga | 55 | C | 0 | $195K |
| 4 | 56477 | Sebeka | 55 | C | 1 | $172K |
| 5 | 56518 | Bluffton | 40 | D | 0 | $150K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Wadena County
If FEMA records flag flood-top-risk status or EPA samples show PFAS exceedances, the matching logic lifts emergency-water and PFAS-rated filtration into the recommendations — federal data drives the order, not retailer arrangements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 64.8% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Wadena County, Minnesota
Overview
Wadena County in Minnesota covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (55/100).
1 of 5 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← 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.