COUNTY REPORT MT

Hill County, Montana

7 ZIP codes · Avg score 51/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03

Water systems serving Hill County's 7 ZIP codes record elevated violation rates — residents in affected areas may want to verify their local system's current status.

How Hill County Compares

Hill County51/100
Montana avg55/100
National avg68/100

How Hill County Compares

D
County Grade
51/100
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
8
Water Systems

Hill County scores 4 points below the Montana state average (55/100) and 17 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

D
County Grade
51
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 59540 (70/100)
Lowest ZIP: 59532 (40/100)
$133K
Median Home Value
$1,629
Avg Remediation (123% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Hill County, Montana

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 14.5 (asthma 12.2%, diabetes 12.2%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $910, driven primarily by water_lead

Infrastructure: 0.453% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk

84.9% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2024)

→ Stable trend

EPA violation counts by year across Hill County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
1 (1 health)
2023
3 (3 health)
2024
4 (4 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 4 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

Asthma 12.2% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.2% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 37.9% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1953
Median Build Year
84.9%
Pre-1978 Housing
45%
Pipe Failure Probability
100%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
High
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $910

Water / Lead $364/yr
Energy Code Gap $309/yr
Flood $114/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

6,581 housing units in Hill County

Pre-1940 15%
1940–1959 26%
1960–1979 35%
1980–1999 15%
2000+ 10%

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 Hill County

$133K
Median Home Value
$1,629
Est. Remediation Cost
1.2%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Hill 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 Hill County residents

Asthma 12.2% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.2% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 37.9% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Hill County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 City of Havre 9,921 14
2 North Havre County Water District 90 14
3 Hill County Water Districts 1,720 14
4 Ncmrwa Tiber Service Area 200 14
5 East End Colony Inc. 100 14

8 total water systems serve Hill County.

All ZIP Codes in Hill County

7 ZIP codes tracked in Hill County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 59540 Rudyard 70 B 1 $100K
2 59528 Hingham 66 C 0 $133K
3 59525 Gildford 55 C 1
4 59501 Havre 44 D 14 (9 health) $202K
5 59530 Inverness 40 D 0 $141K
6 59531 Joplin 40 D 0 $102K
7 59532 Kremlin 40 D 0

Recommended Buyer Guides for Hill County

Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.

Overview

Hill County in Montana covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (51/100).

3 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 9 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Montana water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

What You Can Do

Hill County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.

1

Test your tap water

Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.

2

Consider a certified water filter

NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher

3

Contact your water utility

Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.

4

Check for lead in your home

84.9% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Hill County?
Hill County receives a grade of D. 1 of 7 ZIP codes have health-based violations. Independent water testing is recommended.
How many water systems serve Hill County?
Hill County is served by 8 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 7 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Hill County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Hill County is water_lead. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $910 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Hill County?
The median home build year in Hill County is 1953. 84.9% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Hill County compare to Montana?
Hill County has an average water safety score of 51/100, which is below the Montana state average of 55/100.

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