Clay County, Nebraska
11 ZIP codes · Avg score 58/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Clay County: 11 ZIP codes, mid-range safety grade.
How Clay County Compares
How Clay County Compares
Clay County scores 7 points below the Nebraska state average (65/100) and 10 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Clay County, Nebraska
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.5 (asthma 9.2%, diabetes 11.8%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $872, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.449% avg pipe failure probability, 91% of ZIPs at high risk
82.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2023)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Clay County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 3 violations. Past 5 years: 7 total (7 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: $872
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
3,112 housing units in Clay 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 Clay County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Clay 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 Clay 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 Clay County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Edgar, | 428 | 8 |
| 2 | Deweese, Village of | 58 | 2 |
| 3 | Ong, Village of | 48 | 1 |
| 4 | Glenvil, Village of | 315 | 1 |
| 5 | City of Clay Center, | 730 | 0 |
9 total water systems serve Clay County.
All ZIP Codes in Clay County
11 ZIP codes tracked in Clay County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68979 | Sutton | 70 | B | 0 | $156K |
| 2 | 68933 | Clay Center | 66 | C | 0 | $155K |
| 3 | 68938 | Fairfield | 66 | C | 0 | $183K |
| 4 | 68941 | Glenvil | 66 | C | 1 | $221K |
| 5 | 68944 | Harvard | 66 | C | 0 | $124K |
| 6 | 68980 | Trumbull | 66 | C | 0 | $189K |
| 7 | 68452 | Ong | 65 | C | 1 (1 health) | $150K |
| 8 | 68934 | Deweese | 64 | C | 2 | — |
| 9 | 68954 | Inland | 40 | D | 0 | $430K |
| 10 | 68975 | Saronville | 40 | D | 0 | $116K |
| 11 | 68935 | Edgar | 33 | F | 8 (8 health) | $95K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Clay County
Editorial methodology pairs each documented risk in this county with the buyer category that addresses it, drawing on water-quality detections, housing-stock lead exposure, EPA Radon Zone designation, and FEMA flood and wildfire ratings. NSF-certified options surface where applicable, and products that match the specific contaminant take priority.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 82.5% 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
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Clay County, Nebraska
Overview
Clay County in Nebraska covers 11 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (58/100).
4 of 11 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 9 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Nebraska 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.