Cascade County, Montana
19 ZIP codes · Avg score 59/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring counties, Cascade County's 19 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 Cascade County Compares
How Cascade County Compares
Cascade County scores 4 points above the Montana state average (55/100) and 9 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Cascade County, Montana
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.1 (asthma 12.3%, diabetes 10.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,769, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.405% avg pipe failure probability, 56% of ZIPs at high risk
73.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Cascade County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 4 violations. Past 5 years: 5 total (5 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: $1,769
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
39,321 housing units in Cascade 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 Cascade County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Cascade 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 Cascade 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 Cascade County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Great Falls | 60,000 | 72 |
| 2 | Malmstrom Air Force Base | 8,850 | 65 |
| 3 | Sun Prairie Village County | 1,800 | 65 |
| 4 | Prairie Water Company | 1,000 | 65 |
| 5 | Countryside Village Mhp Grt Fls | 600 | 65 |
26 total water systems serve Cascade County.
All ZIP Codes in Cascade County
19 ZIP codes tracked in Cascade County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59421 | Cascade | 70 | B | 0 | $337K |
| 2 | 59443 | Fort Shaw | 70 | B | 0 | $273K |
| 3 | 59485 | Ulm | 70 | B | 1 | $289K |
| 4 | 59472 | Sand Coulee | 69 | C | 6 (1 health) | $268K |
| 5 | 59414 | Black Eagle | 68 | C | 7 (2 health) | $180K |
| 6 | 59487 | Vaughn | 67 | C | 6 | $213K |
| 7 | 59480 | Stockett | 65 | C | 3 | $269K |
| 8 | 59483 | Sun River | 65 | C | 0 | $425K |
| 9 | 59412 | Belt | 64 | C | 3 | $236K |
| 10 | 59406 | Great Falls | 61 | C | 13 (2 health) | — |
| 11 | 59465 | Neihart | 58 | C | 2 | $206K |
| 12 | 59401 | Great Falls | 56 | C | 13 (2 health) | $206K |
| 13 | 59405 | Great Falls | 56 | C | 13 (2 health) | $237K |
| 14 | 59403 | Great Falls | 54 | D | 13 (2 health) | — |
| 15 | 59463 | Monarch | 53 | D | 0 | $334K |
| 16 | 59477 | Simms | 53 | D | 0 | $194K |
| 17 | 59404 | Great Falls | 51 | D | 13 (2 health) | $272K |
| 18 | 59402 | Malmstrom A F B | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 19 | 59440 | Floweree | 40 | D | 0 | $217K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Cascade 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 — 73.3% 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 Cascade County, Montana
Overview
Cascade County in Montana covers 19 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (59/100).
12 of 19 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 13 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Montana 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.