Carter County, Missouri
4 ZIP codes · Avg score 75/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Carter County's 4 tracked ZIP codes, safety indicators remain above the national average with few health-based violations on record.
How Carter County Compares
How Carter County Compares
Carter County scores 6 points above the Missouri state average (69/100) and 7 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 16.9 (asthma 11.3%, diabetes 15.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,403, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.363% avg pipe failure probability, 25% of ZIPs at high risk
56.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Carter County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 1 violation. Past 5 years: 2 total (2 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: $1,403
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
3,059 housing units in Carter 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 Carter County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Carter 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 Carter 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 Carter County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carter County Pwsd 2 | 50 | 8 |
| 2 | Butler County Pwsd 1 | 11,500 | 5 |
| 3 | Ellsinore Public Water System | 500 | 5 |
| 4 | RIPLEY COUNTY PWSD 2 | 2,780 | 1 |
| 5 | Grandin Public Water System | 240 | 1 |
8 total water systems serve Carter County.
All ZIP Codes in Carter County
4 ZIP codes tracked in Carter County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 63937 | Ellsinore | 81 | B | 5 | $216K |
| 2 | 63941 | Fremont | 73 | B | 8 | $72K |
| 3 | 63965 | Van Buren | 73 | B | 0 | $119K |
| 4 | 63943 | Grandin | 72 | B | 1 | $78K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Carter County
Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 56.8% of homes built before 1978
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Overview
Carter County in Missouri covers 4 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (75/100).
3 of 4 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← Back to Missouri 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.